Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has described José Mourinho as the toughest coach he dealt with in his career, while also insisting the pair now share a good relationship despite their highly publicized clashes during their time at Manchester United.
Speaking candidly about his experiences under Mourinho, Pogba admitted the Portuguese tactician had a unique way of handling players, especially those he believed were becoming too influential within the squad.
When asked about his biggest clash with any coach he has played under, Pogba revealed that his “Biggest problem with a coach is Mourinho, easily,” before also adding that “Mourinho is honestly a good person. He is. And he makes you feel comfortable.”
The French midfielder, however, explained that Mourinho’s attitude could quickly change if he sensed a player was becoming too important or challenging his authority within the team. “But if he feels that you’re sneaking up behind him, or that you’re trying to outshine him, and you’re becoming too big for yourself, he will put you way down.”
Despite the tensions that once dominated headlines during their time together in Manchester, Pogba revealed that the relationship has since improved significantly. “Today, when I meet José, we laugh about it,” he noted while smiling.
Turbulent Manchester United Spell
Pogba played under Mourinho at Manchester United between 2016 and 2019 after rejoining the English giants from Juventus in what was then a world-record transfer fee for the club.
Their partnership delivered silverware early on, with United winning the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Europa League during the 2016-17 campaign.
Pogba was instrumental in that success, scoring in the Europa League final against Ajax as Mourinho guided the club to European glory.
However, the relationship between player and manager later deteriorated amid reports of disagreements over tactics, leadership, and dressing room influence.
Mourinho at one point stripped Pogba of the vice-captaincy, while the midfielder’s body language and comments during interviews fueled speculation of unrest behind the scenes.
A Roller Coaster Career for The French Star
Paul Pogba’s career has been filled with dramatic highs and difficult setbacks. A product of Manchester United’s academy, the midfielder left the club as a teenager to join Juventus in 2012 after struggling for regular opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson.
In Italy, Pogba developed into one of the world’s best midfielders, helping Juventus dominate Serie A while attracting interest from Europe’s elite clubs. His performances convinced Manchester United to bring him back in 2016 for a then-record fee of £89 million.
His second spell at Old Trafford lasted five years and produced moments of brilliance, but inconsistency, injuries, and managerial instability prevented him from fully meeting expectations.
After leaving United again in 2022, Pogba returned to Juventus hoping to revive his career. Instead, injuries severely limited his appearances during his second stint with the Bianconeri.
Matters worsened when the midfielder was found guilty of doping and handed a four-year ban from football, leading Juventus to terminate his contract.
Pogba appealed the punishment at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, successfully getting the suspension reduced to 18 months.
Following the completion of the ban, he joined AS Monaco at the beginning of the current season in an effort to restart his career. Injuries have also limited his playing time at the French club.
A Stellar 2018 World Cup Campaign
Despite the controversies that have followed him in recent years, Pogba remains one of France’s most accomplished midfielders of his generation.
He played a central role in France’s triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, producing dominant performances throughout the tournament for the French national team.
Pogba capped that memorable tournament off by scoring in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the final, cementing his name in history as a World Cup winner.
He also helped France win the UEFA Nations League in 2021 after they defeated Spain in the final.
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