The mood inside Manchester United‘s training facilities reportedly reached an all-time low during the last days of José Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s managerial tenure, mirroring the team’s troubles on the field.
Mourinho’s Tumultuous Tenure
At Manchester United, José Mourinho‘s tenure was characterized by controversy and uneven outcomes. Mourinho was fired in December 2018 when his relationship with the players and management deteriorated, despite winning the League Cup and the Europa League in his debut season.
Solskjaer’s Initial Success and Subsequent Struggles
When Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as interim manager of Manchester United, he instilled optimism in the team and guided it to an outstanding run of performance. But after being named permanent manager, he had a string of underwhelming shows and outcomes, which forced him to step down in November 2021.
Training Facility Atmosphere
At Manchester United’s training complex, there were rumours of tension and pressure throughout the last days of both managers’ appointments. It was reported that the team’s dismal on-field performances had left the players depressed and unmotivated.
Impact on Team Performance
The unfavourable environment at the training ground perhaps hindered Manchester United’s on-field success. An organization’s capacity to perform at its peak can be severely impacted by discord and disunity among players and coaching personnel.
Transition Period
After Mourinho and Solskjaer left, Manchester United went through a transitional phase, and Ralf Rangnick was named manager in the interim. Rangnick’s job was to bring stability to the team and get them ready for the new era that Manchester United was about to embark on with the appointment of a permanent manager.
