Portuguese man of where?
- By Simon Stafford
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E-mail China.org.cn, April 23, 2012
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Where will the "special one" be spending next season? |
Manager Jose Mourinho has proved to be about as close to a guarantee of success as you can get in football. But where will the game’s great enigma be spending next season?
If he manages your team, you probably worship him; if you support any team other than the one he manages, you most likely despise him. However, whichever side of the emotional scale you end up tipping about Jose Mourinho, one fact is surely undeniable: The man is a charismatic character.
From touchline celebrations and remonstrations, to colorful press conferences and run-ins with the football authorities, the Mourinho show is consistently entertaining. In addition to his undoubted color and charisma, the Portuguese tactician is also a serial winner. Domestic league titles in three different countries so far (with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, with a possible addition to come shortly if his Real Madrid side holds on to scoop the Spanish La Liga title), and Champions League success with two different clubs (Porto and Inter), make Mourinho as close to a guarantee of success as you can get in football.
Mourinho’s winning habit, coupled with his antics and the relative failings of many other managers, make him a constant source of grist for the media rumor mill. This season is certainly no different. With Mourinho’s Real Madrid side securing a crucial 2-1 away victory against Barcelona on Sunday, it appears that the stage is set for the Portuguese to take a fourth domestic league title in a fourth country. And with Real also still very much alive in their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, one might be forgiven for thinking that Jose’s reign in Spain looks set to be maintained.
However, his much-publicized disaffection with the Spanish media, along with leaked reports to the Spanish press regarding clashes with certain Real players, have made Mourinho top of many peoples’ lists to leave Real in the summer, despite the success he looks certain to achieve there this season. So, will Jose go? Or will it be no way, Jose, to potentially lucrative foreign offers and the kind of fresh challenge on which the Portuguese thrives? Here are China.org.cn’s top tips for the Special One's next club.
