Ben Dinnery

Thu 21 July 2022 14:01, UK

Jose Mourinho would be handed a “heavy fine” if he repeated his antics against Sunderland in a competitive match.

That is the view of medical expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in injury and data analysis.

Roma manager Mourinho, 59, stormed onto the pitch during his side’s 2-0 win over the Black Cats last Friday (13 July) to protest what he perceived to be overzealous challenges by 27-year-old midfielder Luke O’Nien.

Footage posted on the north east side’s official website appears to show the Portuguese coach demanding that O’Nien be dismissed.

Dinnery admitted that he admires Mourinho’s passion but that the legendary manager is lucky to escape a fine.

“To see the passion, desire and willingness from Mourinho should certainly be commended,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.

“After all these years at the top, he has lost none of that focus and drive.

“There is a general rule of thumb that maybe you want to hold back a little bit. You don’t want to go out with the intent to hurt someone. If he feels someone has crossed that line, he is going to make that point.

“He is never one to hide away. He loves to be the centre of attention. If you’re a player in that Roma team, what would you prefer?

“Do you want someone to show that he’s backing the players or would you prefer someone else to sit back on the bench and keep his thoughts to himself? I would lean towards the former.

“It shows belief in the squad and galvanises them as a unit. It shows he has got their back.

“Maybe according to the strict protocols of the game, he shouldn’t have done it. But this is Mourinho, one of the most decorated coaches in world football.

“It’s a non-competitive game. He knows if it was in Serie A or a European match, it would likely be a heavy fine. There is a little bit of pushing the boundaries of what he can and can’t do.”

In other news, Sunderland backed by pundit to beat Middlesbrough in race to sign Troy Parrott.