When the BBC use such a headline it is assumed (by the trusting) that the headline is a solid indicator towards the heart of the matter.

Unfortunately the BBC has its fair share of careerists in its ranks. And they pay less than Rupert Murdoch et al.

What’s the old saying? – “If you can’t beat them, join them”

Then there are the management types who, in the interests of preserving their jobs/raising their profile, put out the word to “spice things up”.

In an effort to improve its fashion cred over recent years, The BBC has been doing a good job in destroying its true credibility.

I put more creedence on Mr Murdochs better publications these days!

to tell u the truth, i read little of this piece than wondering what the picture has to do with Jose. Maybe i was distracted a lil, so my apologies to the author for not reading the whole thing.

i’ll read it again now, fully. Lol

The headline catches the attention but I don’t think anyone conjures up an image of Mourinho enetering Stamford Bridge dressed in combat’s carrying a Kalashnikov…..although it would surely be the weapon of choice if the circumstances ever arose!

Anyway, this is no big deal in my view. Mourinho, as Graham pointed out, merely meant that he is a professional – when he gets a job. Whether his comment was deliberately formulated to fuel a fire or just an over-exaggerated expression of his strong feelings on the matter, is a different question.

As for the reporting of it, it’s not particulary worrying to me. It’s just the usual everyday sensationalisation. Some people see through it, some don’t. Either way, Mourinho himself is brilliant at it, so he will not be surprised.

Consider BBC’s initial coverage: the headline reads ‘Mourinho eager to kill Chelsea’ which makes him sound like a bloodthirsty maniac and when juxtaposed against the picture (the backdrop has dark-skinned people, giving a tribal, feral feel to the whole situation) and the bbc forum thread titled ‘what do you think of Mourinho now’ is poking you in the eye, urging you to respond emotionally. This is not journalism folks, this is emotional manipulation.

Yeah… but it’s working isn’t it?

Quote distortion by the media is as old the hills. In a country where tabloid printed press reigns supreme, is it really so surprising to find even respectable news sources (like the BBC) have a dip into the pond once in a while? In this case actually, can you even talk about ‘distortion’ really? After all, Mourinho did use the word ‘kill’, and turning it into a “Mourinho eager to ‘kill’ Chelsea” title makes for a very attractive headline over at the BBC.

Should we condemn the press for using these tactics? Yes. Should we be surprised at their use? Not really.

Oh. I get it. That’s irony.

Mourinho simply meant that if he came up against Chelsea at some stage he wouldn’t let sentiment get in the way and he would want to beat them.

Using headlines like that is geared towards causing trouble and it alerts the type of idiots we were talking about the other day to make death threats etc.

I agree, the BBC need to be told that this is out of order.