The stresses and strains of managing one of the biggest clubs on the planet has clearly got to Jose Mourinho at times this season.
Since the beginning of the Premier League campaign with Manchester United back in August, the Portuguese has faced punishment from the FA on three occasions.
It’s not even reached the new year and yet, already, the Red Devils boss has had to face charges by the country’s governing body on more than the odd occasion, while also attempting to deal with United’s slow start to the campaign.
Mourinho’s men began the season with three successive league victories, before back-to-back defeats to local rivals Manchester City and Watford.
Since then, the Portuguese has been left to rue his side’s failure to take three points on a consistent basis, which he feels his team’s performances have warranted, with the club currently sixth in the Premier League.
And clearly, in that time, his frustrations have spilled out on the touchline – as has been the case throughout his managerial career.
On October 27, Mourinho was charged with misconduct, relating to comments made about referee Anthony Taylor prior to United’s eagerly-anticipated match with rivals Liverpool. He was fined £50,000 by the FA and warned about his future conduct, after accepting the charge.
Just two days later, the 53-year-old was sent to the stands for the first time in his United career, after apparently using abusive language towards referee Mark Clattenburg in the tunnel at half-time, and fined £8,000 on top of receiving a one-match touchline ban.
And Mourinho served yet another touchline ban at the end of last month, after kicking a water bottle in frustration at referee Jon Moss’ decision to book Paul Pogba for simulation – despite the Frenchman appearing to have been fouled.
That ban also warranted in a fine, of £16,000, and reasoning for Mourinho’s punishment has been given by an independent commission.
As per the Mirror, the commission ruled that Mourinho had “aggressively kicked the bottle in a manner that could have endangered people around him regardless of the motivation to do so”.
The report continued: “Mr Mourinho ought to be credited for his admission to the charge, his non-confrontational actions when engaging with the officials subsequent to him kicking the bottle and his apology, which the commission accepted as being sincere.”
Mourinho had previously claimed he was singled out by the FA and called for all managers to be treated fairly, after accepting the charge.
“The only thing I would like would be the same rules for everyone,” the former Chelsea boss said. “Let’s go back to the last one. I kicked a bottle of water. I cannot do it. If I do it, then it’s a sending off. After that, there is a punishment.
“I accept that it’s a sending-off and, in fact, if you see the images when the referee comes over, I don’t say a word or make a complaint. I accepted the suspension of one match and it’s as simple as that. But it has to be the same for every manager. It has to be the same.”