Special One, Special Club: An Ambition to Win
When he called himself the special one in his inaugural press conference at Chelsea, the press laughed at him. After three seasons with Chelsea and two with Inter Milan, the media just cannot get enough of the charismatic Portuguese manager.
One of the best managers in the world, Jose Mourinho took over at Real Madrid on the 28th of May 2010. If there was ever a fairy tale story in football as far as managers are concerned, it’s Jose’s story. Jose started his career in football as an interpreter at Barcelona F.C in Spain. During his time at Barcelona, Mourinho observed the manner with which Sir Bobby Robson operated and thus gained precious experience in football tactics and strategy making.
Mourinho’s first big break through came with Porto in the Portuguese Football League, where he managed the Portuguese giants to UEFA Cup glory and then to an UEFA Champions League win as well. He also won the Portuguese Super Cup and the Portuguese football league with Porto before taking over at Chelsea.
In the English Premier League, Mourinho broke Manchester United and Arsenal’s dominance on the league title and won it for Chelsea, two years in a row. He also took the London club to two consecutive UEFA Champions League semi-finals. After winning everything in England except the European Cup, Mourinho went to the Italian Champions Inter Milan. At Inter, Jose achieved legendary status as they won two successive Italian league titles with him at the helm of affairs; he also took the Milanese club to the 2009-2010 UEFA Champions League title win. Earlier on in his career, Jose was called the self proclaimed “special one” but now he is a widely proclaimed “special one”.
At Madrid, Jose has got a real task on his hands. Real failed to win anything last season despite signing superstars such as Kaka, Ronaldo, Benzema and Xabi Alonso. Mourinho has been brought in by the Real Madrid hierarchy for two purposes, firstly to win back the La Liga title which has rested in Barcelona since the 2007-2008 season. Secondly, to bring back the UEFA Champions League crown to the halls of Real Madrid.
It feels as if Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid is a match made in heaven. On one hand we have a gigantic European club, a club which is perhaps the most famous in the club and on the other hand we have a manager who is a proven winner. Success has followed Mourinho every time the master tactician has said yes to a challenge. Another factor has played a critical role in Jose’s arrival to the red carpet at Madrid is related to Barcelona.
In last season’s Champions League, Barcelona were by far the most dominant force on paper. The Catalans played some breath taking football with the likes of Iniesta, Xavi, Pedro, Henry, Messi and Ibrahimovic in their squad. They were considered by many as the favourites to retain their status as Champions of Europe but Jose’s Inter Milan crashed the separatist party by defeating Barcelona by three goals to one at San Siro. After the second leg loss at Nou Camp, Mourinho’s team progressed on aggregate goals to the final of the UEFA Champions League where they defeated Bayern Munich by two goals to nil.
Jose has already graced the Real Madrid throne with some bold decisions. Madrid have already distanced themselves from their two legendary icons, Guti Hernandez and the former club captain Raul Gonzales. Guti has moved to the Turkish football league while Raul has also went his own way to Schalke in the German football league. New players such as Sami Khedira and Ricardo Carvalho have already been brought in to reinforce the squad.
If there is any man who can spur a revival in Madrid, it is Jose Mourinho. If there was ever a tailor made manager for Madrid, it is Jose Mourinho. If there ever was someone who could be trusted to win at all costs, it is Jose Mourinho.
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