Every year again, when it’s quiet during the off and pre-season the same topic comes up. Over and over again and last week was no exception to this: José Mourinho hopes to lead Manchester United some day.
Before I analyze what he could bring and wouldn’t bring to Old Trafford, let us get the facts right.
Mr. Mourinho, brilliant strategist as he might be, certainly is NOT the Special One. If one manager deserves this title, it can only be Sir Alex Ferguson. A clsoe contender to SAF would be Carlos Ancelotti, but Mourinho still has lots to prove before he can make his claim valid.
Mourinho a great manager?
There is no doubt that the Portuguese manager a brilliant trainer is and could succeed at most top clubs, as he has proven with Port, Chelsea and Inter Milan. His managerial track record is marvelous and glamorous with 5 league titles and 2 European Cups:
- Porto: Portuguese Liga: 2002-03, 2003-04 – Taça de Portugal: 2002-03 – SuperCup Cândido de Oliveira: 2003 – UEFA Champions League: 2004 – UEFA Cup: 2003
- Chelsea F.C.: FA Premier League: 2004-05, 2005-06 – FA Cup: 2007 – Football League Cup: 2005, 2007 – FA Community Shield: 2005
- F.C. Internazionale Milano: Serie A: 2008-09 – Supercoppa Italiana: 2008
He is is currently on a run of 117 home league matches unbeaten, his last and only defeat at home dating from 23 February 2002.
