It is undeniable that Mourinho is among the greatest managers in football, but is he the coach every club would want to help them in the longer term?
In a managerial career that has lasted nearly thirteen years he has taken world football by storm not only with the laudable way he has taken clubs to the top, but his confident personality which has generated differing views.
For a while I disliked him, but reflecting on it I have changed my mind and I can't help admire Mourinho- or as he would put it: "the special one".
His success and his unwavering self-confidence is indisputable, but his longevity as a football manager is debatable.
Less than a year after leading Madrid to the title and overcoming a Barcelona team widely regarded as the world's best, Mourinho's future at the Bernabeau is uncertain amid growing speculation he may quit.
Despite his achievements as a manager and having coached some giant clubs, he hasn't stayed around long. Indeed, this may be part of what makes him successful.
Every club he has managed has experienced a decline in fortunes immediately after he left.
Perhaps some may think that this typifies how great a manager he really is and that clubs will always experience a downturn after a coach like Mourinho leaves.
But does this show that perhaps Mourinho is incapable of establishing himself at a club for a long period of time?
Beneath the exterior of confidence does there lie a doubt that even the "special one" cannot settle at a club for too long?
After all he has never spent more than four years at one club, and even considering the volatile world of football that still makes me surprised.
A journalist recently stated that Mourinho was a better manager than Sir Alex Ferguson, and sure once you drill down into the trophies per season statistics then he may come out on top.
But I disagree.
Ferguson has the ability to continually create teams and he also possesses the bravery to destroy them then reinvent new ones, not to mention how he does this with great timing. Even after 26 years at Manchester United, you can still see how hungry he is to achieve.
Last season Mourinho surpassed a remarkable Barcelona team, so surely he should be hungry to build on that? Surely he should have the desire to win Real Madrid the Champions League for the first time in over a decade and the tenth time in their history? The world has nothing but praise for Barcelona, so why is there no burning feeling from Mourinho to elevate Madrid above them in the eyes of the world?
Is it a question of hunger, or a question of being incapable?
Henrik.
Mourinho and Longevity
posted on 11/12/12
Do you think Neymar will go to Madrid above Barcelona?
posted on 11/12/12
Depends whether they'll guarantee him games. From what I know of Neymar he plays a similar position to Ronaldo. Which complicates things. Whereas I think he could walk straight into the Barca team.
No way of knowing really. But most Brazilian player want to play for Barca or Madrid so I'm sure it will be one of those two. Not until after the world cup at least, anyway.
posted on 11/12/12
Darren, Iniesta's well suited and did play in a deeper role earlier in his career, but I'm not so sure whether he'd be able to go back to it now. Guardiola put him in the 'Xavi' role a few times when Xavi was unavailable and he wasn't all that convincing, although it would of course require more games.
As it goes, I think it would be a mistake for Barça to try and make anyone a new Xavi, I think they'd be better off adapting their style to the (many) strengths of the players at their disposal.
Henrik, Neymar was actually linked to R.Madrid long before he was to Barça, but talk for the last couple of years has been that Barça have some sort of preferential agreement. I honestly don't know if Madrid are still in a position in which they could sign him.
Tbh, I don't think I'd be all that bothered if we lost Ronaldo either. As good as he might be, our main shortfalls imo are in midfield. I'd be just as confident or more about our chances to win silverware with a dominant midfield.
As Darren also said, we've done quite well throughout our history without them. They've taken us to 1 of our 32 Liga titles, 1 out of 27 cup finals and 0 out of 16 European finals. I'm sure we'll manage.
posted on 11/12/12
Yeah I hadnoticed that he didn't look quite as good. It's why I've always rated Xavi a lot higher than Iniesta.
I'd agree with that. Replacing Xavi will be pretty much impossible. He's truly one of the greatest cm's to have played the game.
We'll take Ronaldo back then.
I agree with what you are saying though. We were still able to compete once we lost him as the team was changed to compensate. Madrid would do the same.
On the midfield dominance thing do you think that is somewhat down to Alonso? As good as he is I don't think he really dominates the midfield in the way you'd expect a top class cm to.
Great player no doubt but I think he gets massively overrated because he plays for Madrid. I've said for a while I think he's the weak link in the Spain team and is only in there as he plays for Madrid. A great luxary to have, but a luxary nonetheless.
posted on 11/12/12
On the midfield dominance thing do you think that is somewhat down to Alonso? As good as he is I don't think he really dominates the midfield in the way you'd expect a top class cm to.
Great player no doubt but I think he gets massively overrated because he plays for Madrid. I've said for a while I think he's the weak link in the Spain team and is only in there as he plays for Madrid. A great luxary to have, but a luxary nonetheless.
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Fully agree, it's something I've been saying for quite some time. I wouldn't mind seeing Modric given a run of games in his place, I think he might help us control games better, and he's also got a very good long ball to feed our forwards. Ozil and Modric could produce some very good football to watch.
The reason he plays for Spain is that Del Bosque prefers two holding midfielders, which has obviously worked, but I much preferred our style of play under Aragonés when we only had Senna holding. Busquets could suffice in that capacity and we'd have room for another creative midfielder.
posted on 11/12/12
Glad I'm not alone then. I've been accused of talking rubbish when saying that about Alonso, but it is something I had noticed over the last few years of watching Spain and Madrid.
I agree on that. Two holding players aren't needed. Obviously it still works but I find Del Bosque's Spain team a lot more conservative and boring to watch than Aragones' Spain.
Still appreciate the skill, and at times it is breath taking, but Spain at the Euros in 06 were much more easy on the eye.
posted on 12/12/12
Darren, despite the complaints, would you say that Fergie's still (now) the best manager in the PL? If not, who?
And which side would you say is playing the most attractive footy?
posted on 12/12/12
José was keen to finish second in his group in order to avoid the Famous Glasgow Celtic.
posted on 12/12/12
Yeah I'd still say he's the best.
Hard to say who's plying the most attractive stuff as so many teams have been hit or miss.
City have played some good stuff. Arsenal and Chelsea were at the start. Fulham, Swansea and Liverpool have been playing some of the most attractive football in the league from why I've seen.
posted on 25/12/12
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