A Netflix documentary about Jose Mourinho provides alternative perspectives on "The Special One."

While Jose Mourinho is completing the new season's readiness with Real Madrid, his documentary on Netflix depicts a distinctly different personal realm: confronting stress and harm on the grass.

The three parts of the Mourinho documentary paint a portrait of a man who devotes almost his entire life to football. It is rare to see Mourinho in the kitchen, gardening, cleaning, or playing golf. For the 1963-born strategist, a break is a luxury, and he does not hesitate to take a jab at Pep Guardiola: "Some managers need a break. I hate that phrase. That break is cowardice."

Different facets of Mourinho

The construction of the Mourinho documentary is unconventional. There are no dull cityscape shots as in typical films. It is even harder to find everyday stories of Mourinho, like him having trouble with his coffee machine on the way to work. Only fleeting scenes show Mourinho driving his Ferrari past his mother's apartment in his hometown of Setubal, Portugal. Instead, the film features a dense array of football figures such as Sir Alex Ferguson, Peter Kenyon, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Massimo Moratti, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Iker Casillas. Notable absentees include Roman Abramovich, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Pep Guardiola.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech revealed that Mourinho gave a cold suggestion when he had to play with a shoulder issue: "Can't play? Get a painkiller injection." And Lampard recalled the backlash after a loss during Mourinho's second spell at Chelsea. Mourinho did not hide that he is not a kind man, saying: "To the strong boys, I make them stronger. As for the weak ones, trouble awaits them."

Joe Pearlman, director of the Mourinho documentary, skillfully captures the uncompromising spirit of Mourinho across the three-part, nearly three-hour film. Those hoping to see Mourinho's tenures at Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahçe, or Benfica will be disappointed, as the most recent decade of his coaching career is briefly covered in part three. Instead, the focus is on Mourinho's journey from being an assistant to Bobby Robson at Barcelona to his second stint at Chelsea. Although the current Mourinho may be entering a phase of self-aggrandizement, the first three minutes make everyone recognize the unmistakable tone of the Portuguese manager. It shows why Mourinho still has appeal, reflected in his power, glory, quotes, and even his attire.

Mourinho is not always strong.

Nevertheless, the Mourinho documentary does not lack somber notes. They appear most in part three when discussing the third-season syndrome related to the teams Mourinho has coached. One might wonder if Real Madrid pushed Mourinho into a terrible position. Director Pearlman delves into Mourinho's wounds when he says he wanted to be loved more after the unpleasant time during his first tenure at Real Madrid. Then later, Mourinho talks about his father's death. The Portuguese manager says his family enjoys life better without his presence.

Tensions began to emerge between the subject and the creative direction when Mourinho felt the film's focus was drifting away from his coaching career toward his personality. This is illustrated in the moment of why Mourinho could not replicate his early coaching successes in the most recent decade. Mourinho responded with skepticism: "Is there a problem?" Nonetheless, the film provides viewers with deeper insight into the ups and downs of the 63-year-old tactician's managerial career.

The absence of Guardiola leads many to believe the Mourinho documentary lacks an important angle. Mourinho and Guardiola have created a long-standing rivalry rich in details to explore. However, director Pearlman says he respects the Portuguese manager's decision even though he received a nod from Guardiola.