Jose Mourinho is probably enjoying the current press attention surrounding him at the moment, as they speculate over his position at Real Madrid and where he may end up if he leaves the Santiago Bernabeu, but what does the future hold for the ‘Special One’?
Many Chelsea fans would love to see Mourinho back at Stamford Bridge, but the Blues are not the only team after Jose, who has also been linked with both the Manchester clubs and another one of his former clubs Inter.
Spanish publication AS, who have close ties to Los Blancos, believes that Mourinho would prefer a return to the Premier League, and more specifically London, the city that he fell in love with during his time at Chelsea.
As for the other mooted destinations, I don’t think it’s likely that he’ll return to Inter, especially if it was to form a management partnership with Leonardo, which is something that the club president Massimo Moratti is alleged to be keen on. Mourinho won the treble with the San Siro club last season, so there’s not really any unfinished business there that may entice him back, in my opinion.
Many believe that he’ll be tempted by Manchester City, who have an abundance of riches and a manager who is believed to be on the way out in Roberto Mancini. But they are yet to secure their place in the Champions League to match themselves up against Europe’s elite and possess several disruptive forces in their fractious squad, which is starting to look like an expensive joke, in my opinion.
He has also been touted as a long-term successor for Manchester United chief Sir Alex Ferguson. I think that the Old Trafford outfit would be the only other Premier League club aside from Chelsea that Mourinho would manage. However, if he had any aspirations to join United he would have to wait for Fergie to retire and he does not look like doing so at the moment.
Would that then leave Chelsea as the most likely destination?
Roman Abramovich is reportedly in regular contact with Mourinho and may be willing to bring him back to the Russian is allegedly unconvinced by the alternatives.
Current Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has been linked with the chop for a number of months now and the rumours surrounding the Special One have not done the Italian any favours with the bookmakers, who seem to think that the former AC Milan boss is odds on to part ways with the club at the end of the current season.
Ancelotti will be entering the last twelve months of his contract in the summer and the media have interpreted Ron Gourlay’s words regarding a review of the manager’s position at the end of the season as an ominous sign. Carlo has already lost an ally this season as Ray Wilkins was axed from the assistant manager role in November last year and he’ll lose another as Frank Arnesen will be joining Hamburg ahead of the 2011/12 season.
It would be sad to see Ancelotti go. He’s a great coach and won us over with his Premier League and FA Cup double win last term, a campaign which many believed had banished the ‘ghost of Mourinho’ at Stamford Bridge.
But it may not be all that bad for him. Chelsea are still in with a chance of winning the Champions League and perhaps even the Premier League, so he has plenty to occupy his mind until the summer and if he does end up going he could take the helm at Roma, a club which he has great affection for and is subject to a takeover, so the new owners would need someone with experience to help them rebuild the Serie A club.
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I think regardless of the end-result from this campaign, whether it be with trophy or without, the Roman and Carlo have already made up their minds.
We already know for a fact that Roman has been snooping around for a replacement, but I think it has more to do with Carlo’s desire to go to Roma rather than the dismal midseason results.
I personally hope he stays for a very long time; but if he does indeed go to Roma, a Jose reunion would be wonderful.
Mourinho must manage chelsea next season
Mourinjo IS Chelsea!
I quiety have a good feeling about this – Anesan’s gone & that was a big barrier to Jose’s return — its been bubbling along all season — Carlo is a great manager his record says so and I have great respect but there is only one mourinho he really is a special one — does anyone rea;lly think we would have had aa mid season slump under Jose? —
I just actually think Chelsea and Jose are a good fit — and who wants to live in Manchester — I don’t want to jinx the team this season and sooner or later the press are going to try and destabalise chelsea’s title push by talking about it — I think 25% for title and 50% chance of second —
So lets not get too excited lets just get the team over the line this season but like i said i’ve got a good feeling