Madrid Waiting the Arrival of Mourinho

Published by adam | Filed under Champions League, La Liga, Premier League, Serie A, Transfer Rumors

Jose Mourinho mentioned yesterday, he wants to be with Real Madrid 100%, but doesn’t know if it will be this year or the next. Mourinho has been the mastermind behind of some of the biggest stories of recent football history. The Internazionale manager has managed to make the upcoming Champions League Final more about him than about the teams who will be playing. It is Inter however, that has the chance to win La Tripletta, but then again so does Bayern Munich.


Is this whole publicity stunt all apart of a plan? Inter will face Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal Champions Bayern Munich in Madrid on Real’s turf El Bernabeu. Is he attempting to get the backing of Real Madrid supporters even before he makes the move to the biggest club in world football?


The question remains of just how good of a coach Mourinho really is. Could he be the greatest ever? Has he built himself up through the eyes of the media? Or, is he just in the right place at the right time? Mourinho does not play joga bonito, but more importantly, he produces results and wins trophies. What do the fans want more? I think that is an easy call. Regardless, let’s first face the facts.


Porto FC


In his first full year (2003), Mourinho won the Portuguese Liga, the Cup of Portugal, and the UEFA Cup (against Celtic). His second year saw greater success where he won the league title, and the Champions League. Winning the league title with Porto is almost a shoe in, but back to back European titles and one of those being the Champions League is no easy feat. Porto did play Monaco in the final but they had to beat mighty to get there. Their only loss of the whole tournament came in group stages to Real Madrid.


Chelsea FC


Mourinho, although no Champions League Final, had the most money at his disposal in the history of any team during his tenure with Chelsea. Mourinho won 2 back to back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 and other domestic titles including the FA Cup with the boys in blue while only reaching the semi-finals (2x though) of the Champions League. For his efforts at Chelsea, Mourinho received the honor of world’s greatest manager. However, remember the year after Mourinho left when Avram Grant took Chelsea a John Terry away from Champions League glory.


Internazionale


After constant power struggles and falling out with Chelsea officials, Mourinho signed a 3 year deal with Inter Milan in mid-2008. Again, in his first year, Mourinho won the Serie A league title along with the Supercoppa Italiana. Now, Inter finds themselves in the Champions League final for the first time in 38 years. Inter’s performances against powerhouse Chelsea and invincible Barcelona, both Premier League and La Liga winners respectively, were outstanding. Inter has been a joke in world football and is finally being taken seriously. Only shame is that he doesn’t start a single Italian player (only Materazzi and Balotelli occasionally see the field).


Check out this quote. One I finally agree with…


“We won the tie in Barcelona, but everyone talks about Barcelona winning and says we parked the bus in front of the goal. We didn’t park the bus, we parked the airplane and we did it for two reasons. One, because we only had 10 men and two, because we beat them 3-1 at San Siro, not by parking the bus, or the boat or the airplane, but by smashing them at the San Siro.”





I for one am certainly not a fan of him as a person, but I sure as hell respect him as a coach. Mourinho is far and none, the current best coach in the world. Although personally, I think Mourinho is an off-the-field down right ass. He mocks every coach that precedes him and is constantly looking for media quarrels. His tenure at Inter has seen him in feuds with the coaches of all of the largest Italian clubs. After winning the Champions League with Porto, he stated “Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one,” in what had the media dub him as “the special one”. By the way, Mourinho, after giving his first press conference with Inter speaking Italian, claimed that he learned the language in 3 weeks. Okay. “I have a contract until 2012 or 2013, I don’t remember.” You don’t remember? See you in Madrid. Furthermore, his celebration after advancing against Barcelona at Camp Nou was plain disgusting. And sorry, the World Cup is bigger than the Champions League. We have waited 4 years for this damn tournament and I am willing to bet the World Cup will overshadow your (possible or even probable) win in Madrid.


However, a win against Bayern would seal 47 year old Mourinho’s 17th trophy in 7 years of coaching making him the youngest manager to win 2 Champions Leagues. Mourinho carries a weight that can be described as a twelfth man (or the eleventh in the case of Barcelona). His home record is outstanding, not loosing at home since 2002.


A move to Real Madrid is inevitable. And, with Barcelona signing key players over the off season, he will have a hell of time beating the Catalans in next year’s La Liga title run. Say Mourinho wins La Liga and even a Champions League in the coming years, it would be hands down no competition. The question is could Mourinho build up a mid level club from nothing? Can he develop young talent? Mourinho has certainly had the resources to produce such outcomes. To win titles, does he have to be at clubs who are supposed to win anyways? The biggest argument is his stint at Porto. He won the Champions League with Porto and that was just the beginning. Come on.


Inter Milan vs. Bayern Munich Champions League Final