Even one of the greatest managers of all time is no exception to embarrassing defeats during his career.
But in recent seasons, it has really felt like we are witnessing the decline of a former top-class coach in Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese was kicked out by Tottenham in the 2020/21 season with the club seventh in the Premier League, five points from the top four, and after suffering a defeat from a Europa League exit in the 16th stage by Dinamo Zagreb.
It was one of the worst defeats of his career and ultimately contributed to his downfall in north London, but was it the worst? 90min takes a look at how bad things have been at various points in ‘Special One’ career …
Chelsea defended champions but were easily beaten | Alex Livesey / Getty Images
After Mourinho returned to the Premier League and won the title with Chelsea again, they began to crumble in his third season (shock).
Goals from Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho meant that Chelsea opened their season without a win in the first two matches for the first time since 1998.
They had to wait until the 70th minute for their first shot on goal in the match, and Mourinho ended up getting fired later that season.
? OTD 2013 …
Dortmund beat Real Madrid 4-1 in the first stage of the Champions League semi-final?
Robert Lewandowski did ALL Four of them? Pic.twitter.com/6ABJjJk7Mw
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 24, 2020
Mourinho’s time at Real Madrid saw him blessed with one of the best attacking teams ever, one that scored so many goals, won La Liga and lifted the Copa del Rey.
But they never got started in the Champions League, and that was partly thanks to a wonderful performance from Robert Lewandowski in 2013.
Poland scored four in a semi-final night to reverse a defeat in the first stage and see Dortmund move on to a date with Bayern Munich at Wembley.
#OnThisBettingDay 2015, Tottenham got their new year to a bang with a pounding 5-3 victory over Chelsea
The correct score was 500/1! ⚪
? @SpursOfficial #THFC pic.twitter.com/M9rREf3NMY
– BettingOdds (@BettingOddsUK) January 1, 2021
Do you remember the season we talked about earlier where Chelsea crumbled as champions? Yes, we’re here again.
At White Hart Lane, Chelsea rolled up to the London derby on New Year’s Day and were introduced to a budding young striker named Harry Kane.
He scored two goals while Nacer Chadli, Andros Townsend and Danny Rose also netted to make Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and John Terry’s goals useless.
Mourinho’s time at Old Trafford is best remembered for winning the Europa League 2017, which led them to the Champions League next season.
United came through a tough group game and after pulling away 0-0, it was only to beat Sevilla at home to get into the quarterfinals. They did not, and were thoroughly played out on their way to a Wissam Ben Yedder-inspired 2-1 defeat.
After taking over at Old Trafford, Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge as opposition leader for the first time.
Things could not really have gone much worse, as Pedro’s goal in the opening minute set the tone for a thumping victory for Antonio Conte’s side. 4-0 and embarrassing to say the least.
Yes, it’s that season of Mourinho at Chelsea once again – it was really a bad one, huh?
This time in the fourth round of the FA Cup, Chelsea were drawn with League One Bradford at Stamford Bridge. A walk in the park for the Blues, for sure?
After competing in two goals, victory led inevitably. But even though the Bantams were 49 places below Chelsea in the league pyramid, they miraculously fought back to score four times – and completed the most “special” cup comebacks.
In Mourinho’s first job at Chelsea, he was really special.
The Blues won back-to-back Premier League titles in their first two campaigns, but it wasn’t all fun, games and flowers.
But when he came up against Middlesbrough, Fabio Rochemback, Stewart Downing and Yakubu came on the scoring side to hand over Mourinho just the third defeat of his Premier League career – with the Portuguese boss admitting “we deserved it” at the final whistle.
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid side collapsed and lost to rivals in the cup final Denis Doyle / Getty Images
Losing a cup final is bad, losing to your city rivals is worse.
Losing to your city rivals in a cup final after taking the lead in the game? Unforgivable.
Add to that the mix that you were personally sent out and you have Mourinho’s experience of the 2013 Copa del Rey final against Real Atleti. Ouch.
2-0 up and go into the second leg of a Europa League final 16 tie, and put up a strong line-up just days after tasting defeat in the North London derby? What can go wrong?
Good as it turned out.
Mislav Orsic did one of the best hat-tricks you will likely see when the Croatian minnows crashed a first defeat to send Tottenham to crash out of the tournament they had celebrated to qualify for so extravagantly.
Matches in world football will not be bigger, better or full of drama than El Clasico.
Not only was this Real Madrid vs Barcelona, it was Jose Mourinho vs Pep Guardiola – two of the very best to be on the touchline as a coach.
On this occasion, however, there was only to celebrate – Barça’s glory when they ruthlessly tore Real Madrid limb from limb. A 5-0 humility was not only embarrassing for Mourinho, it is – and remains – the worst defeat he has ever suffered as a manager.
