Jose Mourinho Implies Criticism of Avram Grant in Netflix Documentary

Jose Mourinho, the renowned Portuguese football manager, has sparked renewed attention with his new Netflix documentary series focusing on his career highlights at Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid. The three-part series revisits key moments, including his well-known conflict with Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. However, it also subtly touches on his difficult departure from Chelsea during his first tenure.

Mourinho was controversially dismissed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich early in the 2007/08 season and replaced by Israeli coach Avram Grant. In the documentary, Mourinho never directly names Grant but uses pointed language and imagery to express his discontent with the decision. He describes a shift in Chelsea's management dynamics, criticizing Abramovich's ruthless approach to results and the intrusion of outsiders into the club's inner circle, which he implies undermined his position.

He also reflects on the controversial signing of striker Andriy Shevchenko, which he opposed but never explicitly rejected, acknowledging some responsibility for the transfer. Mourinho’s remarks about a "triangle" involving Abramovich, CEO Peter Kenyon, and himself being infiltrated by "outsiders" clearly allude to Grant’s appointment without naming him.

Despite Grant leading Chelsea to the Champions League final that season, a feat Mourinho did not achieve, the documentary reveals that Mourinho’s feelings about his ousting and replacement remain unresolved even 18 years later. The series has reignited discussions about that turbulent period in Chelsea’s history and Mourinho’s complex legacy there.