The rise of Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho is the arrogant and charismatic cult figure who divides opinions on the pitch and in the press room. Is he the genius strategist and saviour of failing clubs or just a toxic coach with main character syndrome? This episode covers the rise of Mourinho, from his early beginnings in Portugal and Barcelona, to his time coaching Chelsea and Inter Milan. Simon and Mehreen analyse Mourinho’s rise to football supremacy with stories that even mega-fans (and mega-haters) may not have heard before.In the episode, Simon and Mehreen share their tongue-in-cheek, in-depth analysis of Mourinho—as a love bomber and a ‘f***boy’, Mourinho’s problematic takes, and how he has been able to use his intelligence, charisma, and good looks for both good and toxic purposes. This is a two-parter; look out for the next episode on the fall of Jose Mourinho. Time stamps:00:30: Rise, fall, and redemption (?)4:00: Growing up in a rapidly-changing Portugal9:40: Rise of the intellectual and start at Barcelona16:56: Frustration to first big break21:01: Spotting weaknesses in his opponents25:35: Mourinho - the handsome, the charismatic28:53: Becoming the main character – Porto success to Abramovich knocking35:34: Chelsea beginnings and rise of the media manipulator43:25: Mourinho “the psychic”44:43: Problematic takes on African players47:12: Mourinho the love bomber50:38: Chelsea becomes toxic57:51: Chelsea sacking and next big move1:03:04: Saviour of Inter Milan1:08:26: Heading for MadridJoin the Heroes and Humans Supporters Club!Are you a fan of Heroes and Humans and can’t wait for the next episode? Why not become part of our exclusive community and get even closer to the action?By joining our official H&H Supporters Club on Patreon, you’ll unlock access to behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, bonus content, and special Q&A sessions with your hosts, Mehreen and Simon. Whether you're looking for deeper insights into football’s biggest personalities or just can’t wait for the next episode, we’ve got something for you.Don’t miss out! Support us and get more from your favourite podcast.Join us today at patreon.com/heroesandhumansFollow @heroesandhumans everywhere.InstagramTikTokFacebookXVisit our website for news & updates heroesandhumans.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heroes & Humans of Football
Listen to the stories behind football's biggest names, hosted by Simon Kuper and Mehreen Khan.
"Hosts Simon Kuper and Mehreen Khan know their stuff." – The Guardian
"The most interesting football podcast of the moment." – NRC, a leading Dutch daily
Heroes & Humans moves beyond the traditional boundaries of sports commentary to explore the lives of football's most interesting figures. Whether episodes are about Messi, Abramovich, Cruyff, Şükür or Haaland, this is the go-to podcast for football audio-biographies. Released once weekly on Thursdays.
Simon Kuper, acclaimed by Time Magazine as "one of the world's leading writers on soccer," and an awarded Financial Times columnist, brings a three-decade career of interviewing and understanding the personalities that define the world’s greatest sport. Having attended the last nine World Cups and boasting Europe's largest football library, Simon's insights are rooted in a profound depth of knowledge and passion for football.
Mehreen Khan, whose day job is as the Economics Editor at The Times, believes football is a "brilliant shortcut in how to understand societies, economies, and politics". She is a football obsessive and die-hard Chelsea fan. With her ability to intertwine socio-political narratives with pop culture savvy, Mehreen stands out in the football podcasting landscape. Her presence as one of the few female voices adds a valuable dimension, broadening the conversation for listeners.
Mehreen was previously the FT’s Brussels correspondent, before moving to The Times in 2022. She started her career in sports journalism at the Daily Telegraph in 2014, and wrote a football blog that touched on themes including Russia’s breakaway Muslim separatism, German multiculturalism, and the earth-shattering magnificence of Andrea Pirlo.
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- No. of episodes: 48
- Latest episode: 2025-01-16
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