Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is simultaneously celebrated as a genius and loathed for being arrogant in his own unique way. Does he deserve all the credit he receives?
His list of honours in his coaching career can’t be argued with. The Portuguese tactician boasts league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, countless domestic cup trophies and two Champions League triumphs.
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His peers look to him as a source of inspiration for what he has achieved in the game, but there will always be question marks.
The latest controversy swirling around Stamford Bridge regarding his medical staff is just the latest example of why he infuriates many and has so many detractors.
Some believe his mind games are hilarious and genius in equal measure, others argue that he is an arrogant individual that has achieved so much because of circumstance and choice.
Although he was blessed with a group of some of Portugal’s best talents at the time at Porto, he certainly deserves to be commended for his work at the club.
However, since leaving in 2004 and infamously labelling himself the ‘Special One’, he has been spoilt throughout his career.
After tapping into Roman Abramovich’s resources in his first stint at Stamford Bridge which immediately gave him an advantage over his rivals, his next journey took him to Italy.
Mourinho left Inter after winning two Serie A titles and a Champions League, but the timing was almost perfect from the shrewd coach given that Juventus were still rebuilding after the match-fixing scandal and others were not at their strongest.
Furthermore, he also had an owner in Massimo Moratti who also wasn’t shy with his chequebook, and the squad he had at San Siro during his time there was far superior to their rivals.
Admittedly, the Champions League triumph was impressive. However, what is forgotten in the years that have passed by since, is that Inter are only now getting their house in order financially after years of being burdened with a huge wage bill.
Mateo Kovacic is the latest sacrifice as part of their attempts to get in line with FFP regulations, and while that shouldn’t solely rest on Mourinho’s shoulders, he was part of the problem that was left behind.
On to Madrid, and again with so much money at his disposal and having arguably the best player on the planet in his squad in Cristiano Ronaldo, he should have won trophies.
Dethroning Barcelona in their prime was a significant success, but Mourinho was expected to win regardless and was a haul of three trophies really enough?
A season back at Chelsea without any trophies at all went by with little to no criticism, while he isn’t shy of reminding us how long his rivals have gone without winning.
Now, he is back in the headlines for all the wrong reasons and yet he ‘gets a pass’ by some because he’s Mourinho.
The 52-year-old deserves his praise, you don’t win the trophies that he has without talent, desire and commitment to be the best.
However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that he has had plenty of help along the way and that has undoubtedly been a significant factor in getting him to where he is today. Like him or loathe him, Mourinho’s personality, demeanour and overall contribution to the game will continue to divide opinion.
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