Adebayor Reflects on His Time Under Mourinho and Wenger
Former Togo international Emmanuel Adebayorhas provided an intriguing comparison between two legendary football managers—José Mourinho and Arsène Wenger. Having played under both, Adebayor shared how each coach’s unique approach shaped his career, ultimately declaring Mourinho as the most impactful manager he worked with.
A Brief History: Adebayor, Wenger, and Mourinho
Adebayor’s journey under Arsène Wenger began in 2006 when he signed for Arsenal from AS Monaco. Under Wenger, he flourished into one of the most dangerous strikers in the Premier League, scoring 30 goals in the 2007-08 season. However, his relationship with Wenger soured when he moved to Manchester City in 2009, a controversial transfer that angered Arsenal fans.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 29: Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal in action during the UEFA Champions League semi final first leg match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on April 29, 2009 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
Mourinho, on the other hand, signed Adebayor on loan at Real Madrid in 2011. The Togolese striker enjoyed his time under the Portuguese coach, helping Madrid win the Copa del Rey that season. The pair reunited again when Mourinho brought Adebayor to Tottenham Hotspur in 2013, reinforcing the bond between the two.
Wenger’s Patient Approach vs. Mourinho’s Direct Style
According to Adebayor, Wenger allowed his players significant freedom, sometimes even permitting repeated mistakes before addressing them.
“Arsène Wenger will let you do anything you want to do,” Adebayor explained. “You can commit the same mistake three times; Wenger will be looking at you before he will come to tell you that this, what you are doing, I think, is not right.”
PARIS, FRANCE – AUGUST 09: Arsene Wenger attends the Men’s Gold Medal match between France and Spain during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Parc des Princes on August 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)
On the other hand, Mourinho operated with a no-nonsense, immediate correction approach.
“But José Mourinho doesn’t have time; he will tell you straight,” Adebayor continued. “If you make a mistake at 10:01 or 10:02, he’s already on your nose, like telling you, ‘Emmanuel, you don’t have to do this; this is bad.’”
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – DECEMBER 20: Coach Jose Mourinho of Fenerbahce during the Turkish Super League match between Eyupspor and Fenerbahce at Kasimpasa Recep Tayyip Erdogan Stadium on December 20, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Seskim Photo/MB Media/Getty Images)
Mourinho’s Brutal Honesty and Transparent Leadership
Adebayor particularly admired Mourinho’s straightforward communication style. The Portuguese tactician did not shy away from telling his players exactly where they stood.
“He gave me a big impression because of the way he treated players; it is beautiful. If he loves you, he will let you know; if he doesn’t, he will let you know. Whatever you are doing well, he will let you know. So he’s an honest person.”
Adebayor’s Final Verdict: Mourinho is the Best
When pressed to choose between Wenger and Mourinho, Adebayor had a decisive answer.
“For me, I will always choose him as the best manager I worked under,” he concluded.
MADRID, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 06: Cristiano Ronaldo (R) and Emmanuel Adebayor of Real Madrid look on during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on February 6, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
A Tale of Two Coaching Philosophies
Adebayor’s remarks highlight the contrasting approaches of these two iconic managers. While Wenger’s patient, nurturing style earned him respect among many players, Mourinho’s direct and results-driven tactics resonated more with Adebayor. Both coaches have left indelible marks on world football, yet for Adebayor, Mourinho’s unfiltered honesty and tactical precision set him apart.
