When Is Mr Mourinho Coming Back?

Into the Lion's Den.

Having read an article in The Times this weekend it was bought to my attention how much the Premier League has missed Jose Mourinho. There he was flanked by images of Brendan Rodgers and Andre Villas Boas, his prodigies, with one finger wagging, the other clutching the match ball. Looking immaculate in his grey suit, black round neck combo, though clearly irate over some injustice. When isn't he? For those whose most painful memories might be of a man sprinting down the touch line at Old Trafford, or making a small gesture with rather large implications in the Carling Cup Final, there must still be that burning desire to see their team lock horns with the ‘Special One’ again. As for the neutrals Mourinho is simply fascinating to watch and his passion has in no way faltered since leaving Chelsea - if anything it’s moved up a gear. 

The article noted an inherent trait in Rodgers, and Villas Boas, revolving around the power of imagery. There is no doubt Mourinho has fed of this power, wherever he has gone, but as for his prodigies, you just don’t see it. Obviously they need to be given time, at their respective clubs, with jobs that could define them. But there is arrogance to Rodgers (he has a painting of himself in his house) and a sureness to Villas Boas, which doesn’t rub up the same way on the English fans and media, the way that Mourinho's all round conviction did. His ability to cause controversy, and produce heated moments, has been lacking. As far as managerial interaction is concerned, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger have mellowed their hatred, to the point that a suspect secret affair could be ongoing behind the scenes. Both seem only too happy to commend each other’s achievements, before battle commences. While Mourinho and Ferguson are friends, it won’t stop Mourinho doing all he can to put United off the task in hand. Friends after, but foes for each and every minute of the game, Mourinho's philosophy will make it just as interesting to watch the touchline, as it is to watch the pitch.

“I think the best place to work in football is England.” Mourinho’s own words, once upon a time. His experiences since, suggest that he himself, still fully believes in that statement. The Mourinho in Spain has had his flashes of brilliance, but has also taken on an uglier persona, which at one stage really threatened his reputation. Eye gorging incidents, and press conferences filled with bad taste, and a sore loser's attitude, marred the most intense rivalry between Spain's two biggest clubs in decades. But Mourinho came out the other side, and he came out a winner. Credit should be given, where credit is due. His first season in charge, he had to taste what it was like, to be well and truly second best. For Mourinho that hurts a lot. And most managers would have packed it in, or had their bags packed for them, with the sort of form Barcelona have been in, for the last five years. Mourinho was not to be outdone though, he even got in Guardiola’s head, eventually, and their title success was an incredible feat, considering Madrid's company. 

A family man.

So, why the lacklustre start this season? Four games played, and only four points in total. Something isn’t quite right. There is a sense, that though Mourinho is willing to stay at Madrid, and compete, he is not desperate to stay. He is not in the precarious position of his predecessors, looking over their backs constantly. Mourinho does things his way. Madrid do things their way. Hence the bittersweet love affair. And now, if anything, you get the feeling he is not adverse to a change.  His sense of humour is lost on the Spanish media. They view him as rude and obnoxious, which at times he is. In England we know what to expect of him, and love him, and loath him for it. But that is where the buck would stop, looking back at his time with Chelsea. Mourinho is family man, and is the sort who wants to escape football, once he gets home. He values parenthood very highly and is often in the company of his children. In Spain, the media refuse to leave him alone, he has made it known on frequent occasions, that he is not at ease with the invasion of privacy into his personal life. He was in London earlier this year house hunting, cue excited Chelsea fans and much gossip. Currently, London only serves as a welcome distraction, from his hectic schedule in Spain, however it is a clear sign that Mourinho intends to reside in England again. Mourinho must long for the greater privacy that he can enjoy in England.  Furthermore, Mourinho loves a new challenge, and if he delivers Madrid the Champions League, he can rest easy, satisfied, and ready to start a new project, elsewhere. He achieved all he could with Inter Milan and then moved on; the same scenario is most likely with Madrid.

In the meantime Madrid need to find form fast, and start catching Barcelona, in La Liga. Not only has his team started the campaign poorly, but Mourinho now has Madrid President Roman Calderon on his back, after criticising his team. Calderon has made it abundantly clear, that such opinions should not be aired in public again. Mourinho does not like getting a slap on the wrist, he wants freedom of speech. But if any club can put black tape over that mouth, it is Madrid. He needs to be careful, not to believe he is irreplaceable. It could be possible that he is holding out for the Manchester United job. Signing a new four year contract implies he is waiting for the right moment. Sir Alex Ferguson could quite easily be gone four years from now, or less. Until then, Mourinho can pursue the Champions League and sit tight. The only club he would surely jump ship for are United.

Having now beaten Barcelona to the La Liga title, many want to see him win the Champions League at Madrid, sooner rather than later, so that he can return to our shores. Playing Manchester City this evening, Mourinho said in the press conference, that a club that are developing as City are, will in the Champions League ‘sooner or later’. Masterful mind games by Mourinho, heaping expectation and pressure on City, he also said it could be won by Mancini, or someone else. Him, perhaps? This, he did not say, but he was surely thinking it. Expect a refuelled and hungry Madrid tonight, against Manchester City. Mourinho wants to make sure he is in that shop window, centre stage, with Guardiola collecting dust in the corner. What would be fantastic is to see both men at Premier League clubs in the near future, and it is certainly possible. 

The self proclaimed 'Special One'.

Mourinho still knows exactly what to say when it comes to the press. Asked about playing City he replied, “To play against City motivates me as much as playing against Getafe. To win the Champions League motivates me like any other match." He is fully aware, that this is what the hierarchy at Madrid want to hear. In addition, although laying fire on his players, after defeat against Sevilla at the weekend, he has been quick to shoulder the blame. Something which he did so well at Chelsea, was to protect his players, as Ferguson does at United, and Mourinho can weather any storm the media and fans throw at him. For a man at arguably, the most demanding club in the world, Mourinho has handled things, on the whole, very well. Mourinho does not want to be at Madrid forever, maybe not even for more than another season. He is hard to predict, but English teams nationwide, better get ready to turn on their sprinklers. Because Mourinho will be back, nobody is sure when, all they know is that he will be.