Arsenal star Mesut Ozil has got a book coming out on 16 March 2017 and like any self-respecting biography it appears to be full of pretty sensational stories.
German media agency Sport1 have been kind enough to share a few extracts before the release.
See More: For Mesut Ozil news and everything you want to know about the Arsenal star
What really stood out was Ozil’s relationship with current Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho who seemed determined to toughen up the star playmaker.
The extract from the book features an extraordinary dialogue between Ozil and Mourinho.
Ozil claims Mourinho said: “You think two beautiful passes are enough… You think you’re so good that fifty percent is enough.”
“He pauses. Stares at me with his dark brown eyes. I stare back. Like two boxers at the stare-down before the first round. He shows no emotion. Just waits for a response from me. How much I hate him right now. And I love Mourinho actually.’
Ozil finally snapped and threw his Real Madrid shirt at Jose Mourinho, telling him to put it on.
Mourinho provoked Ozil further:
“Oh, are you giving up now? You’re such a coward. What do you want?
“To creep under the beautiful, warm shower? Shampoo your hair? To be alone? Or do you want to prove to your fellow players, the fans out there, and me, what you can do.”
Ozil did end up doing what Mourinho said he would and headed for the shower but the Portuguese manager got his message across.
A few days later Ozil approached Mourinho and thanked him for showing him the light.
“After a few days, I confessed to him that he had clicked on my head, and that I am grateful to him for showing me so clearly what was my greatest weakness,” Ozil said.
The bad cop routine ended up working with Ozil. The attacking midfielder setup 81 goals and scored 27 goals during his time at the Madrid based giants.
The 28-year-old was widely regarded as being one of the best No 10’s in the world. In fact Mourinho went onto call him just that back in 2013.
“Özil is unique. He’s the best no. 10 in the world,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Marca.
Perhaps Arsene Wenger could do with using Mourinho’s approach to getting the best out of Ozil.
The Arsenal star has not scored since 10 December 2016 and is currently under fire from sections of the media and fans as a result in his dip in form.