Friendship with Mourinho & search for new club - what next for Smalling?

When Chris Smalling was publicly criticised by Jose Mourinho almost 10 years ago, you would not have predicted the pair would still be in touch now.

But that is exactly what has happened.

When Mourinho was appointed Real Madrid boss earlier this summer, Smalling was quick to send his two-time former boss a good luck message.

To outsiders, his relationship with Mourinho is characterised by a public criticism from the Portuguese in November 2016 around an unwillingness to play through an injury.

That is not how Smalling views it.

"For [Manchester] United or Roma, Jose picked me for most games because we had a good relationship and he trusted me.

"It's very easy to influence younger players but the beauty of Sir Alex [Ferguson] and Jose is that they were able to create that belief in senior players.

"A lot of managers can give good team talks but if you look at someone eye-to-eye, see the passion and real belief that 'it's going to happen', senior players follow and the rest lock in. That's the beauty of top-class managers.

"In that situation, I was having injections in a broken toe because he had created that mentality in me that I could do anything, even if, maybe, I shouldn't.

"I had reached the limit of the amount [of injections] I could have, had to stop in a warm-up and he was disappointed. It gave me even more belief because it was easy to choose another centre-back, but he wanted me."

Their two years together at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018 wasn't the last of their working relationship either - with Mourinho appointed as Roma boss in 2021 with Smalling already established at the Italian club.

"I think he's just following me then," added Smalling. "We just hit it off straight away because those kind of moments are just where he really wants me to play.

"And then in Roma, we were able to win a title there and I was able to play consistently with him. He is a big part of my career, my journey and we still have a good relationship now.

"He'd message me funny memes and things like this. So that camaraderie is still there."

It is clear from the first answer of a fascinating 45-minute chat that Smalling is no ordinary footballer.

A career that took the 36-year-old from non-league Maidstone to a Champions League final in the space of three years, has, so far, led to 580 club appearances in three countries, playing the majority for Sir Alex Ferguson or Mourinho, plus 31 England caps and trophies with Manchester United and Roma.

It has now brought Smalling and his family back to the north west of England to figure out his next steps.

Smalling has plans for his career after playing but presently, he is focused on finding a new club.

"I know my body now better than when I was 26 and that's shown in the games I'm playing," he said.

"When I was younger, I remember Sir Alex was implementing certain things, like Ryan Giggs doing yoga.

"When you get beyond 30, each year is precious in terms of enjoying playing and being passionate about football.

"Actual training is a very short time. The longevity and recovery starts very early in terms of what I'm eating and doing between sessions, even down to my supplements now.

"In pre-season we have blood tests and the clubs make recommendations. I went one step further and kind of had genetics testing, which goes deep into everything. A lot of my supplements were changed because of that."

Smalling was an ever-present for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro-League last season, something he is particularly proud of.

His career is not over. Yet wind back 18 years and Smalling did not imagine he was destined to come anywhere near as far as he has.

"It wasn't even plan D," he recalled.

"I was playing at Maidstone, but I was going to university to study financial economics.

"I had everything set out. I already had my A levels, and I was looking at other non-league clubs near Leicester because I still wanted to play.

"It was very late in the summer when the opportunity came around. I knew it was a slim chance even to be offered but I needed to do everything I could."

The offer was from Fulham. Roy Hodgson watched one practice game, called Smalling into his office and offered a contract.

"It wasn't even a full week," said Smalling. "I didn't have any time to get my head around it. I was just in total shock."

It wouldn't be the last time Hodgson put Smalling into a position where he had no time to think.

He was part of the Fulham squad that travelled to Blackburn for a Premier League game on 17 January, 2010. As it turned out, the then 20-year-old would play no part in the 2-0 defeat.

For him, the important part of the trip took place the previous evening.

"There had been a lot of talk about other clubs but not Manchester United," he said.

"Roy pulled me off the coach, said Fulham had accepted a bid and Sir Alex was coming to the hotel in 45 minutes. I called my mum first but then I was sitting in the room thinking it was going to be a bit awkward and what questions could I can ask him?

"Literally, we were there for about at least a couple of hours. He was so calming and reassuring.

"Even I was doubting it because they had all these great centre-backs. I wanted to develop and wondered 'how do I fit in?'.

"He told me I would get a chance and he believed in me.

"To be able to share the dressing room and the pitch and have conversations with him, is just incredible."

While Smalling remains in contact with Mourinho, he has no plans to follow his old boss into coaching.

"I don't think it will be my route," he said. "I'm quite comfortable with the next stage.

"I'm working on an education programme for young players, partnering with the Global Institute of Sport, that's going to be coming out shortly. I've got three or four of these types of projects.

"Once my football career comes to an end, I can put more time to them but at the minute it's all focused on playing because I have that passion and drive and physically my stats are good."

Whoever signs Smalling will get more than just a player.

He had a positive input in Al-Fayha's off-field development, ensuring the gym was suitable for the standards an elite modern-day player demands.

He is proud that at all his previous clubs he is remembered fondly and made a positive impact on and off the pitch.

Turning down that university offer was a good move.

"It would have been the safer route," he said.

"In that first year, I was not earning a lot of money. I was playing for the reserves and the 19th man for the first team, travelling around but not quite on the bench. There was no guarantee I was going to earn more money.

"When I signed for United, it was a four-year contract. At the end of the first year, I signed a new one, another a year later and another 18 months after that.

"There was always this carrot. I never took anything for granted."