The second ITV aired Jose Mourinho stating "I want to be where I am loved, I am loved in England", Chelsea fans were anticipating something spectacular. The fact is, the entire Blues empire was built by Mourinho, winning their first league title in 50 years (and breaking the points record). The team he worked with has remained the spine of their best era: Terry, Lampard, Cech, Cole, Drogba and Essien. Only 1 manager has won the title since he left. Only Avram Grant has come anywhere near winning it- and that was with Jose's team. His team made Sir Alex Ferguson sit through 3 title-less seasons. His reputation was bulging when he arrived, when he left it was up there with the finest.
The only problem was the man who brought him there in the 1st place. Roman Abrahamovich is not your normal football owner. This man has little to no interest in finances. The team is his toy, something he wants to use for enjoyment, but he has another agenda. This team is what he wants to be known for. It is a symbol of power, of prestige, just like his yachts. Profits matter little to him. Just like Qatar, he uses football to enhance his image. It's like a King's castle. He wants Chelsea to be a global empire like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United. He wants the best players in the world and the most stylish game. The lack of stability doesn't affect him; he wants his club to be in the news and he wants to be shown to be in power. No manager can overpower him at his plaything. That is where the problem comes in.
Mourinho might be the greatest coach of this century (though Ferguson, Guardiola and Ancelloti might disagree) but he's a bit like Mario Balotelli. He relishes controversy and confrontation. One of the reason's his teams have been so successful is because he's an expert at deflecting attention from them. Before, after and during a game he wants people to be thinking and talking about him. His ego requires him to constantly hog the limelight, be it criticizing referees, undermining star players or even courting other clubs while criticizing the media. His entire reign at Real was poisoned by his constant reference to the Champions League as 'the 3rd' as in a record 3rd title for him rather than 'the 10th' as in La Decima for the club. Even on the night they were eliminated, he spoke about going to a club 'that loves me'. His statement deflected attention from the fact that he missed his chance at both the above mentioned records.
His playing style is also stated to be a problem. But Mourinho is unfairly criticized for that. He isn't exactly Pep Guardiola, but isn't as defensive-minded as people think. Last season his side scored more goals than any Real side has ever done. His starting line-up incorporated Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo and Benzema. His Inter side also played aggressively. The problem is people remember him only him for Inter's 'parking the bus' strategy at the Nou Camp once. That was out of necessity. Don't forget Inter won the 1st leg of that tie 3-1 and could afford to do that. He likes pace on the counter-attack and will bring defensive stability back to the Bridge. He will enjoy having the pace of Hazard, Mata and Oscar playing behind summer signing Radamel Falcao (it's practically a done deal). Mourinho will also bring tremendous PR. Rafa Benitez reign has highlighted a gap in communication and has harboured a toxic atmosphere at the club. Jose in, all that rubbish out.
Whether he and Roman can sort out their differences will be the key to his appointment. Michael Emenalo and Ron Guorlay will remain in high administrative positions at the club. The club follows a system commonly found in Europe: managers come and go, but the rest of the club remains stable. Chelsea might have gone overboard with the former but the fact remains Mourinho has always had problems with hierarchy. He will want control but must accept a compromise. His desire for big signings will be met, and this is definitely a marriage made in heaven. Ferguson with United, Guardiola with Barcelona, Klopp with Dortmund, Mourinho with the Blues,
The only problem was the man who brought him there in the 1st place. Roman Abrahamovich is not your normal football owner. This man has little to no interest in finances. The team is his toy, something he wants to use for enjoyment, but he has another agenda. This team is what he wants to be known for. It is a symbol of power, of prestige, just like his yachts. Profits matter little to him. Just like Qatar, he uses football to enhance his image. It's like a King's castle. He wants Chelsea to be a global empire like Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United. He wants the best players in the world and the most stylish game. The lack of stability doesn't affect him; he wants his club to be in the news and he wants to be shown to be in power. No manager can overpower him at his plaything. That is where the problem comes in.
Mourinho might be the greatest coach of this century (though Ferguson, Guardiola and Ancelloti might disagree) but he's a bit like Mario Balotelli. He relishes controversy and confrontation. One of the reason's his teams have been so successful is because he's an expert at deflecting attention from them. Before, after and during a game he wants people to be thinking and talking about him. His ego requires him to constantly hog the limelight, be it criticizing referees, undermining star players or even courting other clubs while criticizing the media. His entire reign at Real was poisoned by his constant reference to the Champions League as 'the 3rd' as in a record 3rd title for him rather than 'the 10th' as in La Decima for the club. Even on the night they were eliminated, he spoke about going to a club 'that loves me'. His statement deflected attention from the fact that he missed his chance at both the above mentioned records.
His playing style is also stated to be a problem. But Mourinho is unfairly criticized for that. He isn't exactly Pep Guardiola, but isn't as defensive-minded as people think. Last season his side scored more goals than any Real side has ever done. His starting line-up incorporated Di Maria, Ozil, Ronaldo and Benzema. His Inter side also played aggressively. The problem is people remember him only him for Inter's 'parking the bus' strategy at the Nou Camp once. That was out of necessity. Don't forget Inter won the 1st leg of that tie 3-1 and could afford to do that. He likes pace on the counter-attack and will bring defensive stability back to the Bridge. He will enjoy having the pace of Hazard, Mata and Oscar playing behind summer signing Radamel Falcao (it's practically a done deal). Mourinho will also bring tremendous PR. Rafa Benitez reign has highlighted a gap in communication and has harboured a toxic atmosphere at the club. Jose in, all that rubbish out.
Whether he and Roman can sort out their differences will be the key to his appointment. Michael Emenalo and Ron Guorlay will remain in high administrative positions at the club. The club follows a system commonly found in Europe: managers come and go, but the rest of the club remains stable. Chelsea might have gone overboard with the former but the fact remains Mourinho has always had problems with hierarchy. He will want control but must accept a compromise. His desire for big signings will be met, and this is definitely a marriage made in heaven. Ferguson with United, Guardiola with Barcelona, Klopp with Dortmund, Mourinho with the Blues,
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