Former England manager Fabio Capello has criticized Jose Mourinho, claiming the Chelsea players are mentally drained under his leadership. Capello suggests that the Blues’ poor start to the season is due to Mourinho’s intense management style, which he believes leaves players “burned out” after 18 months.
Capello, who is not surprised by Chelsea’s struggles, stated, “Mourinho is a great coach, but he exhausts his players mentally after a year and a half, or at most two years. I heard this during his time at Real Madrid, and now we’re seeing it confirmed in London.”
This criticism comes alongside remarks from Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff, who also condemned Mourinho’s behavior, suggesting it sets a poor example for young players and questioning his frequent criticism of referees.
Chelsea, the reigning Premier League champions, have had a dismal start to the season, with some players privately conceding that their hopes of retaining the title are already over. Despite this, Mourinho received a rare public vote of confidence from the Chelsea board on Monday, an unusual move under Roman Abramovich’s ownership.
Capello’s comments highlight a growing concern that Mourinho’s methods, while initially successful, may lead to burnout and a decline in performance over time.
