Not many managers leave a long lasting effect on English football clubs, nor their past achievements make fans want them back so eagerly like those of Chelsea who ache for Jose Mourinho to return.
During his time at Chelsea, the Portuguese tactician rivalled Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United pound for pound. He came and he conquered is what describes best the time of Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.
Under his guidance, Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea won back-to-back Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and one FA Cup. However, it was Champions League glory that always eluded him during his time at the London club.
Mourinho arrived at Chelsea on the back of a Champions League triumph with FC Porto and due to that very achievement, proclaimed himself to being “The Special One” during his unveiling. Since then, the Portuguese has proved that he is indeed a special manager.
Those three seasons at Chelsea raised Mourinho’s profile as one of the best young coaches in the world. However, fate took quite a peculiar twist when Mou left Chelsea in a rather acrimonious fashion following differences with Roman Abramovich.
He left as the most successful manager in the club’s history. Moreover, Chelsea never lost a single league game at home under Mourinho, a record any manager would be extremely proud of.
After an almost eight month sabbatical, Mourinho replaced Roberto Mancini as the manager of Internazionale. Although his first season saw the Milanese side win the Scudetto and the Italian SuperCup, he was unable to win over the club’s fans over who were not happy to see the side show any improvement in their Champions League fortunes as Inter were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Manchester United.
The next season, Mourinho’s Inter romped to another Scudetto, bolstered by the summer arrivals of the likes of Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder. And, the club’ Champions League fortunes improved dramatically as Inter reached the final of the competition where they managed to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 and in the process, helped Inter become the first Italian club to complete The Treble which included a European title.
With another European title in his pocket, it was time for Mou to pack his belongings and make another move. Another nomadic quest saw the Portuguese arrive at sunny Spain where he replaced Manuel Pellegrini as the new manager of Real Madrid.
At Madrid, Mourinho was given a nigh impossible task of usurping bitter rivals Barcelona as the kings of Spain. Things in La Liga and Champions League were not looking that promising but the club managed to win the Copa del Rey after beating eventual La Liga champions Barcelona 1-0 in the final. The win meant that the club had won the cup competition for the first time in 18 years.
A season with just one trophy to show for their efforts once again started the rumour mill regarding Mourinho’s future at Madrid. However, in his second season, the Portuguese tactician guided the capital-club to their first La Liga title in over four years.
Now in his third season at Madrid, Mourinho’s time it appears at Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end. The reigning Spanish champions are way off the pace in the league. Furthermore, the Portuguese tactician has reportedly lost the Spanish half of his dressing room and it is reported that the Spanish contingent at the club has issued the club’s hierarchy an ultimatum to get rid of the former FC Porto manager.
And it appears that Mourinho isn’t that keen on staying at the club beyond the end of the current campaign. Madrid are still in contention for a Champions League triumph but even if they do manage to win it, it is very unlikely to convince Mourinho to stay at a club where his time has been shrouded in controversy.
However, him leaving the club is bound to open quite a few doors. Many clubs would love to have their hands on a manager who has won two Champions League titles with two different clubs and one of those clubs is Chelsea where he is still adored by his fans and even the club’s owner despite the differences between the two men.
Throughout his managerial career, Mourinho has shown that he can be a very unpredictable person. The Portuguese has made no secret of his desire to one day manage Manchester United when Sir Alex decides to call it a day.
However, a return to Chelsea should not be ruled out either. Currently, The Blues are to put it simply, in a mess of mammoth proportions considering the amount of money that has been injected into the club. Since Mourinho’s departure, managers who replaced him have never inspired fans or the owner’s confidence.
With the squad they have currently, Chelsea should not be struggling in the league or in Europe. Under interim manager Rafael Benitez, The Blues have not played the most beautiful football nor have they given their fans any hopes of better days to come.
With Mourinho at the helm, there’s a likelihood of the same Chelsea players returning to their best. The Portuguese tactician’s biggest asset is perhaps his ability to get the best out of players running low on confidence. Furthermore, the 50-year-old has this amazing ability to take pressure off his players.
During Inter Milan’s quest for Champions League, it was clear for all to see that Mourinho kept himself in the spotlight rather than his players which played a crucial role in the club lifting the trophy.
Although his managerial career has seen a few star players suffer, Mourinho is a manager who averages a title every season so Abramovich should consider putting his faith on stats.
Mourinho’s recent comments have sparked speculation that the “special one” might be on his way back to Stamford bridge.
“I have an adventurous spirit and do not know what will happen next season,” said Mourinho during the opening of an exhibition in Setubal.
“It’s not easy to choose a new destination after working in England, Portugal, Italy and Spain. Maybe I could return to somewhere I’ve already been. Watch out for surprises,” added Mourinho, thus hinting at a possible return to Chelsea.
With Mourinho it is all about doing and saying unexpected things so Chelsea faithful should hold on to the hope of once again seeing The Special One strolling down the side-lines in the near future.
Under his guidance, Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea won back-to-back Premier League titles, two Carling Cups and one FA Cup. However, it was Champions League glory that always eluded him during his time at the London club.
Mourinho arrived at Chelsea on the back of a Champions League triumph with FC Porto and due to that very achievement, proclaimed himself to being “The Special One” during his unveiling. Since then, the Portuguese has proved that he is indeed a special manager.
Those three seasons at Chelsea raised Mourinho’s profile as one of the best young coaches in the world. However, fate took quite a peculiar twist when Mou left Chelsea in a rather acrimonious fashion following differences with Roman Abramovich.
He left as the most successful manager in the club’s history. Moreover, Chelsea never lost a single league game at home under Mourinho, a record any manager would be extremely proud of.
After an almost eight month sabbatical, Mourinho replaced Roberto Mancini as the manager of Internazionale. Although his first season saw the Milanese side win the Scudetto and the Italian SuperCup, he was unable to win over the club’s fans over who were not happy to see the side show any improvement in their Champions League fortunes as Inter were knocked out in the Round of 16 by Manchester United.
The next season, Mourinho’s Inter romped to another Scudetto, bolstered by the summer arrivals of the likes of Diego Milito and Wesley Sneijder. And, the club’ Champions League fortunes improved dramatically as Inter reached the final of the competition where they managed to beat Bayern Munich 2-0 and in the process, helped Inter become the first Italian club to complete The Treble which included a European title.
With another European title in his pocket, it was time for Mou to pack his belongings and make another move. Another nomadic quest saw the Portuguese arrive at sunny Spain where he replaced Manuel Pellegrini as the new manager of Real Madrid.
At Madrid, Mourinho was given a nigh impossible task of usurping bitter rivals Barcelona as the kings of Spain. Things in La Liga and Champions League were not looking that promising but the club managed to win the Copa del Rey after beating eventual La Liga champions Barcelona 1-0 in the final. The win meant that the club had won the cup competition for the first time in 18 years.
A season with just one trophy to show for their efforts once again started the rumour mill regarding Mourinho’s future at Madrid. However, in his second season, the Portuguese tactician guided the capital-club to their first La Liga title in over four years.
Now in his third season at Madrid, Mourinho’s time it appears at Santiago Bernabeu is coming to an end. The reigning Spanish champions are way off the pace in the league. Furthermore, the Portuguese tactician has reportedly lost the Spanish half of his dressing room and it is reported that the Spanish contingent at the club has issued the club’s hierarchy an ultimatum to get rid of the former FC Porto manager.
And it appears that Mourinho isn’t that keen on staying at the club beyond the end of the current campaign. Madrid are still in contention for a Champions League triumph but even if they do manage to win it, it is very unlikely to convince Mourinho to stay at a club where his time has been shrouded in controversy.
However, him leaving the club is bound to open quite a few doors. Many clubs would love to have their hands on a manager who has won two Champions League titles with two different clubs and one of those clubs is Chelsea where he is still adored by his fans and even the club’s owner despite the differences between the two men.
Throughout his managerial career, Mourinho has shown that he can be a very unpredictable person. The Portuguese has made no secret of his desire to one day manage Manchester United when Sir Alex decides to call it a day.
However, a return to Chelsea should not be ruled out either. Currently, The Blues are to put it simply, in a mess of mammoth proportions considering the amount of money that has been injected into the club. Since Mourinho’s departure, managers who replaced him have never inspired fans or the owner’s confidence.
With the squad they have currently, Chelsea should not be struggling in the league or in Europe. Under interim manager Rafael Benitez, The Blues have not played the most beautiful football nor have they given their fans any hopes of better days to come.
With Mourinho at the helm, there’s a likelihood of the same Chelsea players returning to their best. The Portuguese tactician’s biggest asset is perhaps his ability to get the best out of players running low on confidence. Furthermore, the 50-year-old has this amazing ability to take pressure off his players.
During Inter Milan’s quest for Champions League, it was clear for all to see that Mourinho kept himself in the spotlight rather than his players which played a crucial role in the club lifting the trophy.
Although his managerial career has seen a few star players suffer, Mourinho is a manager who averages a title every season so Abramovich should consider putting his faith on stats.
Mourinho’s recent comments have sparked speculation that the “special one” might be on his way back to Stamford bridge.
“I have an adventurous spirit and do not know what will happen next season,” said Mourinho during the opening of an exhibition in Setubal.
“It’s not easy to choose a new destination after working in England, Portugal, Italy and Spain. Maybe I could return to somewhere I’ve already been. Watch out for surprises,” added Mourinho, thus hinting at a possible return to Chelsea.
With Mourinho it is all about doing and saying unexpected things so Chelsea faithful should hold on to the hope of once again seeing The Special One strolling down the side-lines in the near future.
