Mourinho: Nine months under the microscope
In the main square of Setúbal stands a statue of Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, an 18th century Portuguese poet. Bocage is described as being a prodigiously talented but occasionally unstable individual who lived a turbulent life in which he gathered numerous enemies and regularly upset those in authority.
The pugnacious poet is the town’s second most famous son after Jose Mourinho. Are their arguably shared characteristics attributable to the waters of the river Sado, or a secret tryst between the Special One’s great, great grandmother and Bocage? Matters for the anthropologists to discuss whilst Mourinho prepares himself for another nine months under the microscope.
Having admitted that the pressures of life at Chelsea made him consider quitting last season, the forthcoming campaign promises to test his mettle to the limit.
The targets set by the media in Mourinho’s pre-season review are probably not dissimilar to Roman Abramovich’s wishes for next May: another Premiership would be good, but the Champions League is the main objective.
A third consecutive title is still a “pinch me” scenario for most Chelsea regulars, but UEFA’s cash cow is the overriding concern amongst the bean counters at the Bridge. Mourinho will be acutely aware of this and history indicates that Russians with ambitious five-year plans are not to be ignored.
The reinforcements from Eastern Europe (by way of Munich and Milan) to assist in the quest for club football’s Holy Grail have led to questions as to whether Roman is blurring the line between boardroom and bootroom. A character like Mourinho is unlikely to take kindly to outside influences on team selection and while Abramovich is no Vladimir Romanov, the three-year pursuit and eventual capture of his Ukrainian friend will naturally lead to eyebrows being raised.
Ballack and Shevchenko seem to fit the now unfashionable ‘Galactico’ profile and initially looked unusual choices for a manager that believes in a strong team ethic without the distraction of egos potentially larger than his own. But reputations aside, both are exceptional individuals. Shevchenko’s impeccable record and early contributions indicate that his commitment will be as valuable as the goals he will hopefully score and while Ballack has had less chance to impress, his performances for Germany this summer hint that the old clichés about absence when the going gets tough should be dismissed with consummate ease.
One of Mourinho’s strengths has been the ability to deflect attention away from his team in times of trouble. The methods may be unpalatable at times, but with the pressure to deliver results greater than at any other football club it is hardly surprising that a few feathers have been ruffled.
This season his powers of protection could be further tested. Key figures within the team will be subject to greater scrutiny: as England captain, any slip by John Terry on or off pitch will now be viewed in a different light. Frank Lampard has little to prove at Chelsea but will be under pressure with the arrival of the German captain and will also have to illustrate his worth to the national side after a poor summer. With both approaching thirty years of age, Shevchenko and Ballack have price tags and salaries at which cynical observers have already screamed “pension!”; conclusive proof to the contrary is needed to silence them.
Add to this the likelihood of a sterner title challenge from the chasing pack and Mourinho’s ‘haircut for war’ looks entirely appropriate. A suit of armour and an air-raid shelter may be on his Christmas list if the early exchanges don’t go his way.
The club itself is already under the same microscope. It amuses most Chelsea fans that the establishment has been upset, but amassing enemies in the corridors of power quicker than you collect trophies is a potentially hazardous pastime in the long term. ‘Colegate’, Mikel and the current bout of handbags with the ever-lovable Ken Bates; mud sticks and we would do well to avoid such situations in the future, irrespective of how enjoyable it is to watch the old guard curse our very existence.
A third title would be ‘spectacularly unpopular’ according to one newspaper which will undoubtedly find the Blues as newsworthy as ever, despite their take on the club’s reputation. Premier League chief Richard Scudamore recently commented that a decade of Chelsea dominance would not be ‘healthy’ - an ambiguous statement, but the fact it was made at all was unusual. UEFA and FIFA have made similar noises and giving them further opportunity to interfere would be unwise: working smarter off the pitch as well as on it should be another goal for the coming season.
Mourinho said upon his arrival at Chelsea that “If I wanted an easy job… I would have stayed at Porto – beautiful blue chair, the Champions League trophy, God, and after God, me.” Jose’s faith is his own business. The only piece of furniture that concerns Abramovich now is the trophy cabinet and its contents come May 2007. The Olympic Stadium in Athens awaits.
- Posted at 03:33 PM · Permalink · Print · 2326 views · Last indexed by Google on the 17th May 2008
- Tags: Andriy Shevchenko, Champions League, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Jonathan Dyer, Jose Mourinho, Ken Bates, Michael Ballack, Roman Abramovich, Setubal, Vladimir Romanov
How important do you think the CL is Jonny. Will Jose get the boot if we don’t deliver? (I don’t believe this for a second, but it’s being repeated so much it might actually become true.)
In reference to the comments of Scudamore about Chelsea dominating the premiership, where was this kindly gentleman when Man-U won it eight times? Or indeed, when Arsenal and Man-U basically dominated the last 13 years? if I were Roman, I would have despatched warnings to both the FA and UEFA regarding litigation if they or their employees show any bias against Chelsea FC whatsoever. How do you think for example that referees in the game in the UK and abroad in the Champions league are meant to interpret these type of comments when Chelsea are playing especially cruical matches at crucial times in the season? I truly believe that Chelsea FC could have a legitimate grievance against these organisations and their representatives from their inference that maybe we should not win so much. referees are only human, and as we have seen in the Italian league, they have hardly been fair to put it in a mild way! Can anybody explain, why Sevchenko’s goal against Barcelona was disallowed? There has still been no expalnation from the ref. Or indeed, why no penalty was given against Benfica when they played Barcelona in the previous round when the whole world watching saw it was stone cold? Or referees allowing Ronaldino to elbow everyone in the face every match? No, most definatley, Roman should already send out pre-filled litigation papers just as Mourinho threatened to sue the head of referees in his first year if he had not apologised for the blatantly biased remarks against him. Notice that UEFA the very next day backtracked by saying that he was just a consultant for UEFA and not an employee! UEFA should be afraid as they were then if they carry on their anti-Chelsea bias and allow their own referees to be influenced by the words of their OWN representatives.
Difficult to tell - it’s definitely part of the ‘brand plan’ as far as Kenyon and co. are concerned, but you’d hope that the more football minded realise that there is an element of luck involved which makes prioritising it risky to say the least.
Don’t particularly see Jose getting the elbow if we don’t win it, but as you say it’s definitely being parroted often enough. My bet is that anything less than a last 4 / final appearance might lead to a few searching questions being asked.
Dio, Barcelona are the refs favorative because they play fair. They play football like football should be played. No ankle breaking tackles, and when they loose the ball, they go after the ball, not the player who won it. Granted there is a bit of theatrics, but that is to be expected.
William - having watched Barcelona at close hand over the last couple of years you are right they do play fantastic football. However they also have diving, niggling, leaving their foot in, and ref chasing down to a fine art. I certainly noticed last year that throughout the Champions League campaign, and especially in the Milan games, Ronaldinho was untouchable. You could not so much breath near him without him winning a free kick. They had some very, very big decisions go their way last year, but as Jonathan mentioned, any team that wins the CL generally has lady luck on their side. I do not buy this “saviour of football” nonsense the English media would have you believe about the Catalans.
Jonathan - my guess is if we win the Champions League Jose will walk - what else does he have to prove?
If we don’t win it, and the chances are that we won’t, it will be very interesting to see if he stays.
Great article.
Barcelona play beautiful football, but they’re extremely cynical. They targeted Robben at the Bridge last season and kicked him off the pitch - it was just as bad as anything Del Horno did to Messi.
I think Anthony’s right - it’s more a question of Jose walking that him getting the boot. Chelsea surely realise there’s no other manager in his class available?
I think Hiddink will be the one to replace him, the rumour being that Roman is paying his wages for the Russian job.
I see no reason why he can’t manage Chelsea and Russia, like he did with PSV Eindhoven and Australia. Not too sure whether senior managment at the club would be keen on that though.
Cheers Anthony - you might have a point about Jose heading off if we do win it; job done, so to speak.
Barcelona were the best team without doubt, but they do have a less attractive side that tends to get brushed over. Henry was slated for his comments about them after the CL final but he isn’t generally given to bleating without cause. Marquez and Puyol did to him exactly as they did to every other striker in the competition - booted them all over the pitch and were rarely punished for it. They committed far more fouls than any other team; they played more games of course, but that stat speaks volumes.
I think Jose’s made it as clear as he possibly can to Roman that the Champions League is a bit of a lottery, whereas the Premiership quite clearly isn’t.
I concur with Anthony, if he delivers the Champions League this season he’ll walk - and he still won’t receive the credit he deserves!
He also knows that we prefer the Premiership trophy. The Champions League would be a bonus.
Of course, if we fail to win a third successive Premiership title but triumph in Europe, the Champions League will become the trophy. ;-)
Jonathan Dyer - Barca won the fair play trophy in Spain for the nth time this year. Get your stats right.
William Tell - my stats are fine thanks. As previously stated, Barcelona committed more fouls in the Champions League than any other team; 230. Dig around on the UEFA site if you don’t believe me.
it worries me that Kenyon and RA are piling the pressure onto Mourinho. He has done brilliantly so far and should be able to get on with the job. I’ve always thought he would walk out rather than ever be in a position where he was pushed. The problem is that I can envisage him going far sooner than the end of the season if he feels his plans for the team are being thwarted by the management and owners of the club.
The pre-season schedule was cleary a blunder of the most ridiculous kind. Did JM get consulted over it? It would be good to know the answer about that…..
Are people going to start to work on this web site??? man City game is over and we have won!!!!
El Special One will be here for longer than this season…Equals Sir Fergusons records but there is nothing as owning a decade and I think given a chance He is looking at that….
Realistically looking at this as much as JM has delivered he remains an employee of Chelsea who has to deliver and Kenyon is responsible for the club image growing in whatever way he has in mind. Pressure on Mourinho…what pressure…Facts are facts and that is the Chelsea we are looking at…No space for loungers here…
So JM Leaving??? Will Just Have to wait and see…
About this Barca clean football….People People…They do play flashy stuff but Puyol is not the cleanest player…If you do look back at our matches with them last season you will get to see that Drogs was being pulled tagged right infront of the ref but the Refs were not interested in us at the time…
Barca my foot…hope we get them in the first round and settle this.
well i like jm but i think he is just too careful: ppl pay alot to come and watch beautiful football but all he cares about is winning: i think he still remains a good coach:
I have to agree with the one, Mourinho’s a really good coach bur can be too defensive-minded. with the kind of wealth we have at our disposal we really should be playing more attractive football. Sure there are those days when it just doesn’t click and those are the times to dig in and hopefully a set piece will work ( I love john terry). Wonder what formation he’s going to play this season though.
In my opinion jose mourinho is the best the premiership has ever seen and with the right support chelsea will become the best club ever this i tell u is a time to support ,support and support .for the love of football