Sir Alex Ferguson knew how to use it. In the 1996-1997 season, he destroyed Kevin Keegan with it. Arsene Wenger knew how to use it as well. In 1997-1998, he destroyed Sir Alex himself with it.

Of course, Sir Alex and Wenger were not the first to employ psychological tactics. Bill Shankly often used the psychological game to great effect, creating a siege mentality among their own players and making them feel as if the whole world was against them. This was the case when, just before that game against Liverpool in 1989, Arsenal manager George Graham showed his players reports that crowned Liverpool champions before the game had even started.

The most famous incident of this kind was during the 1978 World Cup Final when Argentina's manager Cesar Luis Menotti deliberately caused his team to emerge late from the tunnel. This was calculated to subject the Dutch to the high tension and hostile atmosphere of the River Plate stadium.

His name-calling and insulting a player for being 'uneducated' have lowered the estimation of Jose as a proponent of the psychological art. It is unbecoming of a professional and a man


The Sir Alex/Wenger mind games over the years have been intriguing to the extent that they have even been elegant in their execution. But the entrance of Jose Mourinho has changed the landscape of this psychological game altogether. The Special One has debased it and made it ugly.

It started with Jose using psychological tactics to protect his own players from an intrusive press. He took media attention away from the performances of his players and onto his own capable shoulders, thus freeing them to relax in his shadow and concentrate on their art. To this end, he would make baseless claims and groundless attacks, knowing full well that each hollow attack would provoke the press to respond to him rather than criticise his players.

This was fine. When he attacked Wenger, accusing him of not being in the same league as either Sir Alex or himself because he had not won a Champions League, it amused the fans to see Arsene fluff and flap trying to prove Jose wrong. Wenger still has not managed to get a handle on Mourinho.

But When Jose turned his attention on Sir Alex and Rafael Benitez, things started to get ugly. He accused Manchester United of being favoured – thus effectively stealing points away from more deserving teams. His assertions against referees being blind to the faults of the United players resonated of indignation against the men in black. This had nothing to do with unsettling opponents. This attack was aimed at the integrity of the game itself.

Lately, Jose has taken to pettiness and targeting individuals. Before the game against Liverpool, he started belittling the club as “small” – oblivious to the many league titles and European Cups the Merseyside club boasts. Also, it’s no surprise that on the verge of the Manchester United game, he has started attacking Christiano Ronaldo to the point where I am surprised he is not being sued for libel and slander.

His name-calling and insulting a player for being “uneducated” have lowered the estimation of Jose as a proponent of the psychological art. It is unbecoming of a professional and a man.

I am glad Liverpool did not succumb to Jose’s taunts. It must kill the man, no matter what he says, that Dirk Kuyt and company showed him the exit door on Tuesday. It must be awful for Jose that his once tried-and-tested tactics – successful against Wenger – have had no effect against United and their lot.

Regarding the visit to Arsenal on Sunday, I’m surprised Jose has remained quiet. I would have expected a barrage of insults against every Arsenal player and another tirade against Arsene himself.

But I hope against hope that the wit of Arsene will rise again to effectively douse Chelsea’s season. Jose deserves it. He has destroyed the game, and he has debased the art of psychological warfare. Arsene, being a fine proponent of the same, needs to show him how it's done.

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