From a simple mind game to Netflix fame: Hazard and Mourinho’s contrasting revivals

Eden Hazard reveals how José Mourinho motivated him with a simple mind game, a story that resurfaces as the Portuguese coach returns to prominence through Real Madrid chairman Florentino Pérez’s backing and a Netflix three‑part documentary, contrasting the personal coaching trick with Mourinho’s renewed global spotlight.

Netflix doc puts Mourinho back in focus

Door Real Madrid-voorzitter Florentino Pérez, the three‑part series “MOURINHO” was commissioned by streaming giant Netflix, placing the 63‑year‑old manager at the centre of an international narrative. The film relies heavily on testimonies from former players such as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Luis Figo, Iker Casillas, Sami Khedira, Didier Drogba and Petr Čech, while omitting any appearance by Mourinho’s wife Matilde or their children.

Hazard recalls Mourinho’s simple mind game

In the winter of 2024, Eden Hazard sat in a snow‑covered interview room, relaxed in a jean‑vest over a white T‑shirt, and explained why training under Mourinho felt “great”. He remembered the coach’s challenge: “José always said to me, ‘Do you want Sunday off? Prove yourself on Saturday.’” Hazard laughed that the promise of a free Sunday drove him to give everything on the pitch.

The interview was conducted by journalist Stephan KeygnaertVoetbaljournalist for HLN12 and , highlighting how rare it is for Hazard to participate in such a project. The documentary captures the moment Hazard describes the “fun” of Mourinho’s approach, linking it to his own youthful enthusiasm.

Hazard arrived at Chelsea in the summer of 2013, when Mourinho returned for a second spell at Stamford Bridge. A year earlier, Chelsea had paid Lille €40 million to secure the 22‑year‑old Belgian winger, setting the stage for the partnership that would follow.

Mourinho’s reputation at the time was mixed; after a troubled stint at Real Madrid, he was described by Sami Khedira as having “poisoned his own dressing‑room”. Seeking a club where “people wanted him”, he found renewed purpose at Chelsea, surrounded by senior figures such as John Terry and Frank Lampard.

Within months, Hazard flourished. He was named Premier League Young Player of the Year and voted Best Player of the Year by Chelsea supporters. The following season, Chelsea claimed the league title, and Mourinho later called Hazard “phenomenal”, saying the Belgian “destroyed everybody” that season.

Ten years on, Hazard still recalls Mourinho’s mental challenge with a smile, while the Netflix series marks Mourinho’s broader media resurgence, underscored by Florentino Pérez’s involvement. The contrast between a simple training mind game and a high‑profile documentary illustrates how personal motivation and global branding can coexist in modern football.