Allen Hamilton
Jose Mourinho’s whirlwind managerial career has seen him achieve great things with some of Europe’s biggest clubs. The Portuguese has been called many names along the way, particularly during his feuds with Arsene Wenger and Josep Guardiola, but somehow words like "restless" or "flighty" rarely crop up in reference to Mourinho. Given that he has managed four clubs since the start of 2002, there is cause to wonder why.
Of course, Mourinho cannot be criticised for his ambition to challenge himself in some of the toughest jobs in Europe. He has put together a mightily impressive CV, producing title contenders on every stop of his European tour. He speaks his mind, thrives on the media mind games and is bold enough to seek a change of scene when he feels a club is stagnating. But there is no escaping the fact that he has never stayed as long as four years in the same managerial role.
However, all the signs point to the Portuguese settling in for a longer spell in his next job and attempting to establish a lasting dynasty that would cement his place as one of the greatest managers to grace the game. While at Inter Milan, Mourinho talked of a desire to settle eventually and take on a longer term project – but he gave no details beyond the fact that it would be at an English Premier League club.
Now, though, Mourinho is beginning to open up on more of the details of his grand plan, recently admitting that he foresees “a couple” more years at Real Madrid before returning to England and starting a lengthy Premier League stay. And there are no prizes for spotting that this timeline fits nicely with the situation at Manchester United, where Sir Alex Ferguson turned 70 on New Year’s Eve.
The timing is uncanny. Speaking prior to Manchester United’s shock 3-2 loss to Blackburn Rovers, Ferguson declared: “As long as my health stays up, I would hope to have another three years at the club. I hope I have a long time left. I am still enjoying it. We have defeats but compared to what we have achieved, they are minuscule.”
Understandably, Mourinho’s comments about a move to England sparked controversy in Spain as his commitment to the Real Madrid cause was openly questioned. He backpedalled expertly, telling the club’s website: “You don’t translate ‘a couple of years’ literally, it’s an expression you use in the English language to mean in a few years, not exactly two.”
But it does not change the fact that his departure from the Bernabeu is likely to coincide with Ferguson’s exit from Old Trafford. Mourinho will have time to perhaps win La Liga or even the Champions League before waving farewell to the Spanish capital. Likewise, Ferguson can add to his staggering haul of silverware and then usher in the new era.
When the "Special One" makes himself available to Premier League suitors, the prospect of acquiring Mourinho is sure to make all the big guns take a close look at their options.
But no title contenders are a more obvious landing spot than Manchester United, given the history, prestige and talent pool of the Red Devils. Manchester City and Liverpool are invested in the Roberto Mancini and Kenny Dalglish eras respectively, Arsenal are eager to keep Arsene Wenger heavily involved – whether as manager or director of football – and Chelsea are an unlikely option, given the past history between Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich. Tottenham Hotspur and even England – depending on where Harry Redknapp ends up – might consider themselves front runners, but there is a strong vibe that Mourinho has his heart set on Old Trafford.
Sources say that Ferguson is endorsing Mourinho as a strong candidate to replace him, while Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has also pointed to the former Chelsea boss as the best bet to carry the club forward.
Mourinho and Manchester United have seemed a natural fit ever since the Portuguese shot to prominence – and the past few weeks have confirmed that the current Real Madrid supremo could be in the Old Trafford hotseat by 2015, guaranteeing more feuds, mind games and innovation in the years to come.
