Jose Mourinho reveals stance on Paul Pogba doping ban after troubled relationship at Man Utd

Jose Mourinho reveals stance on Paul Pogba doping ban after troubled relationship at Man Utd

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Jose Mourinho sheds light on Paul Pogba and his spell in charge of Man Utd

Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 22/04/2024

- 12:49

The duo won the Europa League and EFL Cup back in 2017

Jose Mourinho has revealed he is not 'enjoying the situation' of Paul Pogba after the Manchester United star was recently given a four-year doping ban.

Both men worked together at Old Trafford, with Mourinho signing Pogba back in the summer transfer window of 2016.


The duo initially had a good relationship, with the Red Devils winning the EFL Cup and Europa League in 2017.

Yet they fell out in 2018 and their relationship never recovered, with Pogba failing to start any of Mourinho's last three games before the Portuguese's sacking in December of that year.

Man Utd news Jose Mourinho Paul Pogba

Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho takes no pleasure in the plight on Paul Pogba amid the midfielder's four-year ban for doping

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The France international's future in football is currently unclear.

Pogba failed a drugs test after Juventus' opening game of the season against Udinese and was subsequently handed a four-year ban.

The 2018 World Cup winner has confirmed he will appeal the decision, having been left 'sad, shocked and heartbroken' by his suspension.

Whether he ever graces a football pitch again at the highest level remains to be seen.

But while Pogba and Mourinho fell out, the former United manager has insisted he's not enjoying the plight of his old midfielder.

"I am not enjoying Paul’s situation at all," he told the Telegraph.

Mourinho has also shed light on how his relationship with Pogba fell apart, despite their positive start to life at United together.

The 61-year-old has expressed a belief that, after winning the World Cup in 2018, Pigba 'lost a sense' of who he was.

He stated: "The only thing I say is that it happens with almost everybody in some moments of your career: you lose a little bit the sense of who you are and what you have to be.

"The season after France won the [2018] World Cup, I think Paul came back different.

"The World Cup brought him into a dimension where football was not the most important thing for him.

"Sharing the philosophy of everyone; everyone with the same level of responsibilities."

Mourinho hints he didn't have the support of the United hierarchy on the matter, either.

"When you are supported by the power, by the hierarchy, the message that passes through is very positive in the group," he added.

"When you are not supported … because the player is more important or what the player represents is more important – then you are in a fragile situation.

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Paul Pogba

Man Utd news: Paul Pogba departed Old Trafford for Juventus back in 2022

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"Even if you are a coach with so much experience as was my case."

Pogba would stay at United for another four years after Mourinho's exit.

But while he impressed at times, his lack of consistency infuriated supporters of the club.

Pogba moved back to Juventus in 2022 believing he'd be able to challenge for the biggest trophies back in Turin, having left six years previously.

Yet he has been limited to just 12 appearances since his return to Italy, with injuries and the doping ban preventing him from kicking on.

Man Utd news Jose Mourinho Paul Pogba

Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba were initially successful at Old Trafford before their relationship fell apart

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Pogba won four league titles during his first spell with Juventus.

The Old Lady also won the Coppa Italia twice with the midfielder in their ranks.

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