Jon Wilkin claims Super League coach is like José Mourinho

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley has been compared to former Premier League manager José Mourinho by Jon Wilkin.

Speaking on The Bench Podcast by Sky Sports, Wilkin said: “I reckon he’s a genius, Rowles.

“All the messages from Salford at the start of the year were like ‘they’re going to finish 11th or 10th’.

“I bet you that is not being said behind closed doors, there’s not a chance!

“There’s not a chance he set out to say ‘we’ll finish 11th and we’ll be happy’.”

Salford Red Devils finished in seventh place in Super League 2023, and the loss of Brodie Croft lead many to think they would struggle in 2024.

However, they’ve impressed this year, with stand-out performances earning them wins over Hull KR and St Helens.

Wilkin praised Rowley’s style of management, comparing him to a Premier League legend:

“What he does, it’s a bit like Mourinho used to do, is just take the pressure away.

“Reduce any pressure, reduce any expectation, and then next thing, they’re just knocking off Saints!”

José Mourinho managed Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham in the Premier League, and boasts Premier League and Champions League trophies, amongst many others, and is widely considered to be one of football’s greatest-ever managers.

The Salford Mourinho?

It sounds good, doesn’t it? And it was obviously just a little bit of fun from Jon Wilkin to compare him, but let’s humour it for a minute.

The key difference between the two is trophies.

He excellently won three Championship titles as a coach, a feat which shouldn’t be underestimated, but the best version of Mourinho gave his players an extra drive – earning him 26 trophies across the clubs he’s managed.

It may not be hugely likely now, but if Rowley can win a major trophy with the Red Devils, maybe one or two will start giving him the name.