Whenever Jose Mourinho speaks, people tend to listen. His recent quotes have been nothing but amusing. Despite the backing of Real Madrid’s president Florentino Perez, he does not have the backing of Jorge Valdano, the man in charge of Los Blancos’ sizeable transfer kitty.
The feud between the two men started long before Mourinho became Real Madrid’s coach. Valdano, a former World Cup winner with Argentina, publically criticised Chelsea and Mourinho’s brand of football – famously comparing it to ‘shit on a stick’. Furthermore, Valdano hit hard with the remarks about the fact that Mourinho never made it as a player.
Unfortunately for Mourinho, Valdano enjoys the unequivocal backing of Perez. The lack of say on transfer policy has left the Portuguese deeply frustrated this season. Even before the start of the season he claimed that Benzema and Higuain wouldn’t suffice as options up front. He had a point, Benzema just managed to end a goal-drought of 15 games, whilst star striker Higuain is out until mid-April the earliest. And although Adebayor has arrived on loan from Manchester City, it was thought that Mourinho was keen on Fernando Llorente.
Yesterday in The Sun, Jose is quoted saying:
“I’ve decided to return to England.
“I have nothing prepared about my future – I just want to be happy in my work.
“I have no preferences about Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea. I just want to rediscover the joy.”
I would take these quotes with a pinch of salt. But there is no doubt the relationship between Mourinho and Real Madrid is on the brink of being beyond repair.
At Chelsea, there is change on the horizon. Frank Arnesen is stepping down at the end of the season, and with him an army of scouts that we employ. Mourinho was a vocal critic of Arnesen, although I have to say the criticism has proved to be unjust to a certain extent. The change, more importantly, could also involve a change of manager. At the end of the season Carlo will have just 12 months left on his contract with no indication that he will pen an extension. With rumours linking him with jobs at Inter, Roma and ironically Real Madrid there will be no shortage of takers for our manager.
Back in October, when we were top of the league, I heard a rumour from a reliable source that Abramovich was considering the future of Ancelotti at the helm of our club. There was a list of candidates drawn up in case Ancelotti wasn’t going to sign a new deal. Amongst many names, it is thought that Mourinho’s name was discussed at length. Jose Mourinho recently revealed that the rift between him and Abramovich was over.
Whilst this is pure speculation at this point, I think the return of the Special One to Stamford Bridge isn’t out of question, most likely in the opposition dug-out, but you never know. One thing I am certain of is that Ancelotti’s reign at Chelsea is to be short-lived. The king is dead, long live the king.
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