After Manchester United was knocked out of the Champions League by Sevilla four years ago on March 16th, 2018, former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho unleashed one of his most legendary rants to date.
Many derided the now-famous "football heritage" speech in the aftermath of that defeat. He outlined United's failures in Europe over the last few years, while also noting victories with the team we had at the time — a weakened one.
But, exactly 48 months later, after United were eliminated in the final 16 of Europe's elite competition for the second time, 'The Special One's' remarks have never been more applicable as United continue to struggle.
So, what precisely did Mourinho say?
After losing 2-1 to Sevilla at Old Trafford, the former Chelsea manager claimed that getting knocked out of the Champions League was "nothing new for the club," before quoting the famous "football heritage" line.
He began, "In 2012, out in the group phase."
"I was on the other bench in the last 16 at Old Trafford in 2013," he said, recalling his own victory against United as Real Madrid manager.
"I was knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2014." There will be no European football in 2015. Back to European football in 2016, out of the group stage, into the Europa League, and out of the Europa League in the second round.
"In 2017, I'll play in the Europa League, win it with me, and then return to the Champions League."
"In 2018, the team wins 15 out of a possible 18 points in the group stage and falls in the last 16 at home."
Alamy is the source of this image.
Mourinho went on to praise Manchester City's "football heritage" before criticizing the team he inherited.
"Manchester City's poorest Premier League place in the last seven years was fourth," he continued. "Manchester City has won the Premier League twice, if not three times, in the last seven years. They came in second place twice. That's what heritage is all about.
"Are you aware of what is also considered heritage?" [Nicolas] Otamendi, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernandinho, [David] Silva, [Raheem] Sterling, [Sergio] Aguero, They are investments from the past, not the recent past.
"When I leave Manchester United, the next manager will find [Romelu] Lukaku, [Nemanja] Matic, and [David] De Gea from a long time ago." They'll look for players with a different mindset, quality, and background, as well as a different status and expertise.
"The truth is that certain teams were prepared to win." Other teams aren't ready to compete. Going for the jugular is one thing, but building a distinct approach is quite another."
The complete 12-minute press conference is embedded here. It was a unique experience.
Following United's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night, Mourinho's statements from March 2018 have been making the rounds on social media.
"Mourinho was right, and we didn't want to listen to him," one Twitter user commented, while another added, "Mourinho was criticized for these statements at the time, but they remain spot on after Manchester United's latest Champions League departure."
"Things remain the same the more they change."
"I know the football wasn't great," a third added, "but Jose Mourinho doesn't get enough credit for what he accomplished with United, considering this squad is 100x better than the one he had."
What are your thoughts on Mourinho's remarks from four years ago? Do these still hold water?
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