José Mourinho is considered one of the most successful soccer coaches. He incorporates all aspects of the game - physical, mental, technical, and tactical - into his innovative training sessions. Known as the "Global Method," Mourinho's approach focuses on small-sided games and constantly changing situations to improve players' decision-making. His intense, fast-paced training sessions are designed to mimic the challenges of real matches and help create championship-winning teams.

1. The Mourinho Mystique
What makes “The Special One” so successful?
He may have lost a bit of his luster this year after • 5 v. 5 – 4 x 6 minutes, 90 seconds rest, 45 x 30 other. The teams are wearing the same colors (for ex-
his antics in the Champions League games against yard grid – 80-90% HRMax ample, red v. white) on both fields. Each player is num-
Barcelona, but many soccer coaches around the world • 6 v. 6 – 3 x 8 minutes, 90 seconds rest, 50 x 30 bered 1 through 6. The coach yells a number (or two
still are interested in what makes José Mourinho tick. yard grid – 80% HRMax or three). Those players change fields. For example,
Why is he so successful? What does he do in training • 8 v. 8 – 4 x 8 minutes, 90 second rest, 75 x 45 yard
if the coach yells “Red 3-4-5,” the players with those
that creates these great teams? grid – 80% HRMax numbers change fields. At Ohio Wesleyan University
There is no question that he has been successful we add another variation: We have the teams attack
at the highest level in four European countries. His Adjustment of games can happen in a number of ways: in different directions, so when the players do change
players love playing for him. His assistant coaches • Adjusting the area size and shape: the larger fields they have to determine which direction they are
go on to be very successful. His training sessions are the area, the more decisions players will make; going. Look at the decisions that must be made and
fast-paced and innovative. a smaller field will increase the speed of play. the situations that are changing. As the players move
When he was at Chelsea, he created a document
that showed his “39” activities for the first team and the
Academy Program. He used only these 39 activities in
training. The results were measureable by the number What makes José Mourinho tick?
of trophies Chelsea won. Chelsea star John Terry
said “…training is enjoyable every day, and you learn
so much. Even the players on the fringe of the first Why is he so successful? What does he do
team enjoy training. The players just love Mourinho’s
coaching and man management!” That is really high
praise from a very good player. in training that creates these great teams?
The document surfaced in the United States a few
months ago. You may have seen it. You may even
have a copy. The Five Favorites section in this issue
and the next will share 10 of these activities with you. Coaches also can use areas of the field (e.g. into the next field they must assess the field and see
I think they are worth a look. defensive third, attacking third, etc.) what is going on and react accordingly:
Mourinho uses what he calls “The Global Method • Adjusting the number of touches on the ball: the • Which team has the ball?
of Coaching Soccer.” The website Soccer Science fewer the touches, the faster the speed of play • Where is the ball on the field?
and Coaching offers insight into the Global Method, • Numbers up/Numbers down: the Dutch have done • Where are my other three (new) teammates?
which suggests that the coach should incorporate all this for years; this is a way to manipulate the activ- • Where do I go to best help the team?
four of the pillars of soccer into every exercise. Instead ity to work on tactics • Am I defending? Where?
of isolating just one of these pillars (i.e. Fitness by • Am I attacking? Where?
running sprints), Mourinho will use all four pillars: Adjusting training games to the model of play
Physical, Mental, Technical and Tactical. means all training exercises are done in the formation And the players on the field when a change is made
Global Training is composed of four areas: the team has chosen to play. All passing exercises also must see the field and make decisions:
• Small-sided games and small-sided games should have players playing • Who has the ball?
• Adjustments to the games with the players they play with in a game and in the • Where is the ball on the field?
• Adjusting training from the model of play (i.e. train position they will play in a game. A 4 v. 3 exercise may • Are we numbers up (i.e. 6 v. 3) without the ball?
have the four starting midfielders playing against three
in positions the players will use in the system: 4-4- Press
2; 4-3-3 etc.) second-teamers in the shape of the 4-4-2 midfield (i.e. • Are we numbers down without the ball? Fall back
• Effectively creating the weekly cycle of sessions diamond, etc.). and defend
between games Effectively creating the weekly cycle between • Are we numbers up with the ball? Attack with speed
games. Mourinho uses a low-to-high intensity model. • Are we numbers down with the ball? Possess and/
Small-sided games incorporate all four moments For example, if he has a game on the weekend and or counter
of a game: attacking, defending, transition from attack trains every day of the week, the cycle might look
to defense and transition from defending to attack. like this: The situation changes every time a change of play-
Included in these games is technique, conditioning, Game>>Recovery>>Low Intensity>> ers is made. The situation changes in a soccer game.
tactical awareness and decision-making. The games Medium Intensity>>High Intensity>> Good players learn to see it, read it and make the
can be manipulated to add an important fitness com- Low Intensity>>Match correct decision(s) to take advantage of the situation.
ponent to the session. For example: The players also utilize all four of the soccer pillars in
• 2 v. 2 – 4x2 minutes; 2 minutes rest, in a 30x20 We would have to use a “quicker” cycle since an exercise like this: The Mental, The Physical, The
yard grid – 80% HRMax most teams in the United States play more than one Technical and The Tactical.
• 3 v. 3 – 4x4 minutes and 30 seconds; 90 seconds game a week. Mourinho puts his players into ever-changing
rest, in a 40x25 yard grid – 90% HRMax – with Let’s look at Activity 5 in the Five Favorites article. situations in training so they identify the changes and
man marking close to 100% Many of you have seen this depicted on the web. It is learn how to react. As Joe Cole of Chelsea said, “You
• 4 v. 4 – 4x4 minutes, 2 minutes rest, in a 40x30 said to be the first session Mourinho does with a new learn things in every one of his training sessions and
yard grid – 90% HRMax team. He has two games of 6 v. 6 going on next to each don’t even know it!”
Soccer Journal July-August 2011 5