Former France international Claude Makelele has heaped praise on the leadership style of Jose Mourinho, describing him as “a father with a strong character, but also like a dictator.” According to Makelele, Mourinho’s dictatorial approach was necessary to instill discipline in his young players at Chelsea. “I think he needed to be like that because he had young talents at Chelsea who needed discipline,” Makelele said.
Makelele also commended Mourinho’s ability to get the best out of his players, saying, “Mourinho realised that he could get a lot out of the group. He knew he would lead the team to success because he saw their character.” This approach played a significant role in shaping the team’s success during Mourinho’s tenure at Chelsea, including back-to-back Premier League championships in the 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons.
Mourinho’s leadership style has been widely recognized for its ability to inspire players to achieve greatness. His influence on the game is undeniable, and Makelele’s praise highlights the respect he has for his former manager. As Mourinho continues to excel in his career, his leadership style will undoubtedly remain a topic of discussion.
Key Aspects of Mourinho’s Leadership Style
- Assertive: Mourinho is known for his plain-speaking and truth-telling approach, which motivates his players to perform at their best.
- Demanding: He expects his players to always perform at their best, every time, and works hard with them to achieve this goal.
- Results-oriented: Mourinho is laser-focused on results, which ensures efforts are channeled in the right direction.
- Strategic: He is a master at mind games and understanding the opposition’s weakness, which gives his team a competitive edge.
- Decisive: Mourinho is known for his quick decision-making and action-oriented approach, making bold changes when needed.
- Inspiring: His players are extremely loyal to him, and he has a remarkable ability to motivate and inspire his team.
Mourinho’s coaching style is also known for being heavily influenced by psychology. He tailors his approach to individuals on his team to get maximum buy-in, often communicating his vision and expectations clearly to unite his team. For instance, he famously told his Chelsea players that “from here each practice, each game, each minute of your social life must center on the aim of being a champion”.¹ ²