Thursday 11 May 2017 16:17, UK
Matt Le Tisser wants Jose Mourinho to regain his old spark after becoming concerned with his demeanour over the past couple of years.
Manchester United have won the EFL Cup this season and are favourites to win the Europa League, hosting Celta Vigo in the second leg of their semi-final on Thursday night with a 1-0 aggregate lead.
But after being asked on Premier League Daily which title-winning Chelsea manager he would have liked to have played under - including Antonio Conte, who is on the verge of winning this year's league - Le Tissier said: "I would have said Mourinho three or four years ago, but the last couple of seasons he's disappointed me a little bit in how he's conducted himself.
"I don't see the same kind of spark in him and there's a little bit too much moaning for my liking. We're very privileged in the football world to do what we do for a living and you should be enjoying that. I understand there are pressures, but it's not like proper pressures in the real world, it's just about football at the end of the day.
"I'd like to see that cockiness about him and that happiness. So I'd probably go with one of the other two for now. [Carlo] Ancelotti probably suited my style better because he's a little more laid back."
Le Tissier was joined on Sky Sports News HQ by former Chelsea assistant Steve Clarke, who worked under Mourinho in his first two title-winning years at Stamford Bridge in 2004/05 and 2005/06, and he believes the Portuguese boss has struggled in recent seasons due to his own high expectations.
"Jose brought a freshness to the Premier League when he first came in, then he went from there to high-pressure jobs in Italy and Spain," said Clarke. "He's driven by success and over the last couple of seasons he hasn't had the success he wants.
"When you're the type of character who is driven by trophies and titles and you're not getting those then another side of your character comes out. He's driven to be the best, and over the last couple of years he's not achieved what he wants to achieve."
Chelsea head to West Brom on Friday Night Football, live on Sky Sports, knowing three points could clinch their fifth Premier League title, Mourinho winning three (2004/05, 2005/06 and 2014/15) while Ancelotti got the other in 2009/10.
Despite their domination under Conte this year, Le Tissier still believes that Mourinho's first side was the best Chelsea team of the Premier League era.
"I would probably go for the first season under Jose, when he won the title," said the Sky Sports pundit. "I think to come in with that arrogance and 'The Special One' thing, then to concede 15 goals in a season is incredible. That stat alone shows it's the best one for me."
Clarke, meanwhile, was more proud of the second title win under Mourinho, as he believes it's harder to motivate your players when they're already champions.
"You have to keep the hunger in your players, they have to want to go out and go through the hard grind again," said Clarke. "They've had the best players this year and been very consistent, but you have to go out week in, week out and achieve that kind of level, which only certain people can do.
"One of the great things about the second title win at Chelsea was that we managed to grind it out with a similar group of players [to the first].
"Jose found a different way to play, with a more attritional style to get the points, which is what you have to do in the second season. It's about finding a way to win."
