Alan Brazil: The ‘Sulky One’ Jose Mourinho is going nowhere, believe me

HE once dubbed himself “The Special One”.

But these days Jose Mourinho is in danger of being slapped with a new title – “The Sulky One”.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big Jose fan. I’ve got big respect for everything he has achieved as a coach.

The guy is a born winner. There’s no two ways about it. But there’s also no denying the fact that recently the bloke has been an absolute misery guts.

Former Coventry and Newcastle striker Micky Quinn, with whom I present my radio show on a Thursday morning, is sick to the back teeth of it.

He had a right pop at Jose during the week – and I had my work cut out to defend him.

In the end, I had to admit that something isn’t right with United’s legendary boss.

But I don’t see it as a sign of petulance, or as a cynical ploy to angle for a new club.

I just think it shows how much success means to him.

In fact, I think his moods are a big part of why he has achieved so much in his career.

They also tell a story about how he has done it.

Jose is simply not the kind of person who will accept second best.

And thanks to Manchester City’s evolution under Pep Guardiola – the man he considers his greatest rival – second place is looking like the best United can hope to achieve this season.

For other managers, that might seem OK, but not for Jose.

The result has been that the Portuguese boss has been lashing out at everything and everyone in his sights.

He has spent a lot of money already at United, but now he is demanding even more millions.

That’s because he knows City are better, player for player, and he wants to bridge the gap.

There’s no guarantee that United will spend the kind of money Jose wants, and that has led to questions over his happiness at Old Trafford.

But as far as I’m concerned, he’d end up being damned however he responds.

If he celebrates wildly, he’s criticised for it.

If he smiles and looks happy, he’s called arrogant.

If he’s angry, people will question his commitment.

Surprise, surprise, when Jose did respond to questions over his future by taking a thinly-veiled swipe at rival managers, he was criticised for that, too!

But, to be honest, I absolutely loved it.

As miserable as Mourinho has seemed lately, there’s no doubting his intelligence.

And claiming he was only being questioned because he doesn’t “act like a clown” in his technical area was genius – vintage Jose, laying bait and waiting for a bite.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Chelsea gaffer Antonio Conte are the most-demonstrative bosses in the Premier League, so it was no surprise to me that Conte had a nibble in response.

And even less of a surprise that Jose had a go back on Friday night.

That’s a psychological play Sir Alex Ferguson would have been proud of – and it shows me that Jose is still committed to United.

Why would he bother trying to get an edge over a rival if he was already out the door in his head?

Mark my words, Jose will still be at Old Trafford next season.

And if he’s still in a bad mood, it will only be because of his continued – and admirable – determination to succeed.