Mourinho: No Titles is equal to Failure
Jose Mourinho, the new Real Madrid coach told reporters that he will consider his first season at the Bernabeu a failure if they fail to win the Primera Division or the Champions League. Mourinho takes over at a time when Madrid have not won the Primera Division since 2007. Their last Champions League win was, it seems decades ago, in 2002. But Mourinho is adamant the Spanish giant’s trophy drought should be brought to end. “If we don't win the league or the Champions League (this season), it would be a failure,” Mourinho told reporters.
The self proclaimed “Special One” has lived up to his name so far. The Portuguese manager is a superstar in his own right, having had seven successful seasons. He started off with FC Porto, leading them to Champions League glory. He then moved on to Chelsea, leading them to back-to-back Premier League titles in his first two years with them. Not only did he help them win silverware, he also developed certain players, who to this day remain his avid fans. After disagreements with the owner, Abramovich, Mourinho moved to Internazionale. He repeated his success, winning Seri A and the Champions League.
He has now moved to Real Madrid, and is determined to guide the Spanish giants to a trophy or two. It is been said that there is no way Mourinho can surpass expectations at Madrid, who have previously achieved the treble and do not expect to win it any time soon, especially not in the upcoming season. Mourinho revealed that he enjoyed the challenge managing Madrid presented and hoped to surprise everyone, "I know that in the DNA of Real Madrid, they want to win everything in the first season. I like that pressure.”
Mourinho has succeeded everywhere he has gone, his modern approach, which is defensive at times has not yet been deciphered by rivals. His analysis of his opponents is mostly correct and his attention to detail works in his favor – and that has guaranteed him victory in different clubs in different countries. His planning does not end on the pitch, he is known for his mind games and pre match conferences, which have made him a controversial figure. He had rows with Manchester United’s Alex Ferguson, former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri and present Chelsea coach, Carlo Ancelotti.
Ferguson claims to have been won over by the charismatic Portuguese manager, even saying that he would want him to succeed him at Manchester United. However, Ancelotti is not too big a fan. Ancelotti, who was in charge of AC Milan mentioned Mourinho in his autobiography as the “Great Commander,” “King of the Media,” “High Lord Specialness” and “His Mourinhoness,” while comparing himself to Jesus. The witty Special One responded by saying, “Even Jesus isn't loved by everybody.”
Former and current players only had nice things to say about him. England and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard had this to say when asked what was so special about Mourinho, “He knew how to get into people's heads. He got into mine the moment he came. He has that air of arrogance, that confidence, and it rubs off. I have never had a manager who, while I'm standing in the shower, tells me I'm the best player in the world. He did that. I'll never forget it. So casual.” Last season’s Champions League winner Sneijder said that Inter might not have won had they been managed by anyone other than Mourinho, “He knows exactly how to manage both on an individual level and for the whole team... He will give us information nobody else can. That is the power of Mourinho,” he said.
Real Madrid have won a total of 31 La Liga titles and have nine European club championships, and for Mourinho to impress he would have to achieve something unexpected. However, he is not intimidated. “I am Jose Mourinho, and I don't change. I arrive with all my qualities and my defects… Luckily, I've had a beautiful career, and it makes me proud to have come here. I am very enthusiastic. I want my players to think that way. The beauty is not so much to train or play at Real, but to win at Real Madrid.” Mourinho said in his first press conference for Real Madrid.
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