THE ‘SPECIAL’ One has caused ripples in the Premiership by claiming that he sees himself in the Chelsea hotseat again, while not specifying when he could make a return to Stamford Bridge.
Along with the claim, the Inter coach also talked about his penchant for risk-taking, which he feels is a quality that not many Premiership managers share.
He said:”Some managers have a big excuse when they go to a big club. They say ‘I need a lot of time to do it’. If you say this, you get protection.
“If you don’t win the title in the first season, or second season, you can keep saying ‘I need time’. Sometimes you stay for four or five years, keep not winning, and then keep demanding more time.
“I could never be like this. I live for the risk. I believe you can do it in the first season, and if you do not, you fail. I prefer it like this. I prefer the pressure because that’s how I live.”
THE POSTMAN LIM SAY HENG says: While such self-affirming words would not come as a surprise, read between the lines and one may sense that he is actually having a dig at Sir Alex Ferguson or Rafa Benitez, who does not share a good relationship with the Portuguese.
Arriving at the same time in England in 2004, Benitez and Mourinho have clashed numerous times during the latter’s reign at Chelsea. Their relationship was so strained that the Liverpool gaffer declined to acknowledge Mourinho’s contributions to English football when the outspoken manager was sacked by Chelsea.
And while Liverpool has won the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup and FA Cup under Benitez’s reign, the Reds have yet to win its first Premier League title, with Benitez asking for more patience in building the club towards the title.
On the other hand, Mourinho has won two Premiership titles since storming his way through England, famously throwing the second of his league medals into the crowd.
But it is more likely that senor Mourinho was having a psychological dig at Sir Alex Ferguson, whose team his Inter Milan will meet later this month in the Champions League.
Fergie has thrown his weight behind the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari, saying that the Brazilian should have been given more time to work on the Chelsea players.
And while the Scottish knight celebrates his 22nd season at Old Trafford this year, it is widely known that the fiery manager was once almost sacked in the early years of his Manchester United reign.
I think Mourinho is trying to go one up against Ferguson in the mind games, proving that he is more daring and capable than the 67-year-old.
After all, these little psychological games are quite common between the two men and makes the games more interesting, especially when both are equally adept at this and are not prone to ‘melting’ down, although that would make for quite a sight too!
WELCOME TO THE POSTMAN'S NEIGHBOURHOOD 
The ‘Special One’ is so unique because he is intelligently subtle, giving indirect verbal attacks in with maximum damage.
I do agree that this attack is 2-pronged, and hits directly at Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez.
While the aim at the Man Utd boss may be because of the upcoming Champions League clash, Mourinho’s attack on Benitez might be a signal that the ‘Special One’ will be plying his trade at Merseyside next season.
Mourinho’s might want to manage Man Utd more, but the constant runs-in with the club makes him an unlikely successor to the great Ferguson.
Liverpool, a long time foe with Man Utd, with an equally impressive club history, will be the perfect club to manage for the Portugese manager.
This a perfect ‘advertisement’ by Jose Mourinho!
Adrian Lim, 29, Civil Servant
Norwich City Fan
Comment by Adrian Lim — February 16, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
It is easier to say what Mourinho said if a manager inherit a very strong squad at its peak and with tons of money to spend. Mourinho spent 225.76m pounds in Chelsea and Inter Milan has quality in every department when he took over.
My feeling is that Mourinho was trying to play some mind games with Ferguson in view of the upcoming Champions League match. Natuarally the press would pick up what he said and try to get Ferguson for his comments, making Man U the headlines while Inter can prepare in peace. Moreover, by saying all this, the press focus would once again be on Mourinho, and not the Inter players. It is a “trick” he used quite often in Chelsea. In my opinion, it is a move to protect the Inter players, as they might not be metally as strong, as seen by last season’s Champions League defeat to Liverpool.
Of course, it is possible that Mourinho might be refering to Benitez and Liverpool as well. If Inter get through the next round of the Champions League, I am sure he would rather face Real Madrid than Liverpool, given Liverpool magical European form in recent seasons. Hence, a cheap jibe here and there to pile on the stress and pressure on other teams and let the press focus on other stories and Mourinho himself. Meanwhile I would not be surprised that he would be praising his players during the weekend games to boost their morale and confidence.
Mourinho is a good manager that contributed greatly to English soccer, it would be great entertainment to see how Ferguson react to his comments though. Finally, Mourinho himself could be hinting at the cash rich Man City job in the summer.
Comment by Chian Kong, Liverpool fan — February 16, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
With the Serie A title almost wrapped up now, Jose seems to be turning his attention to next week’s UCL last 16 tie against Man United.
I wonder…… he was quoted as having said, ‘Some managers give themselves excuses when they arrive at a big club, saying they need time to settle and thus gain protection.” But when he said that he would like to return to EPL in the future, most probably Chelsea, isn’t he trying to gain protection too?
Still don’t get it? He knows Moratti craves the UCL title more than those domestic ones, and the Portuguese is definitely under pressure to deliver it. So if he fail to carry Inter to the latter stages of the competition, he might suffer the same fate as Roberto Mancini. So I think all these talks about him wanting to return to England are just lame excuses, as they only serve to save his face when he eventually get sacked!
Also, I think he is getting really bored in Italy to the extent that he is talking about the EPL managers instead of the ones in Italy! There is a saying that a great man is afraid of nothing in the world, except loneliness. This is especially true for Jose. We rarely, if any, find managers in Italy or Spain play mind games with one another. Only in England can we find colorful characters getting on one another’s backs.
A guy like Jose who likes nothing than to shoot his mouth off should never leave EPL in the first place. It is the place where he can show off his talents and he must have realised it now.
I have nothing against Jose but I find people who call him a genius and a great manager a tad too much. Firstly, he took over a Chelsea team brimming with characters and was handed a transfer kitty that was the envy of many. He won 2 league titles but failed to win the one coveted by Roman and was sacked. Then, he took over the strongest team in Italy Inter and now looks to be guiding them to another title.
The truth is, he was handed 2 very very good squads to manage and his achievements were expected, but hardly impressive. Even I would have managed to achieve what he has and maybe even more! In my view, Sir Alex is a better manager than him, in fact, a lot more better. The Scot took over United over 20 years ago
with United nowhere near their current strength. They were almost in their wilderness. It took him a good few years to get United together, and the rest they said is history.
I hope Jose take over Chelsea in the future because I do not want my United team to be guided by him. United are always known for their ability to play attacking football, but Jose tend to instruct his team to play safe and efficient football.
I hope United give Inter a lesson in football over the two legs to avenge the defeat by Porto a few years back when Jose was coaching them. This would shut his mouth for some time and our ears could be saved from all those arrogant speeches……
Comment by Loh Shengli, 24, Man United — February 16, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
Perhaps we are trying to analyse his statements too closely. Mourinho is no stranger to the press with his colorful comments and his statements are self glorifying rather than aimed at a particular manager. He is in a way taking a dig at Roman more than anything because sacking Jose has been the biggest mistake in the Abramovich era. Mourinho’s ego made Chelsea a success and his narcissistic statements merely stroke his ego. No doubt though, he will be remembered as the manager who caused a ripple in the EPL breaking the duopoly of United & Arsenal.
Comment by Sunil, 21, Man Utd — February 16, 2009 @ 8:47 pm
Jose Mourinho’s work is almost done in Serie A cos Inter-Milan is nearly uncatchable. He has a lot of breathing space and this is the time he starts to breathe hot-air towards his worhty opponents ie Sir Alex whom he will meet very soon in the Champions League. He started his mind games with his obvious reference to Sir Alex’s support for Scolari. He has nothing to lose as he is not in EPL. He may also be doing it as a self advertisement, as someone who aims for nothing but the best, the top. Second is nothing. The Chairmen of the top EPL clubs will surely take this into account when they search for replacement managers eg when Sir Alex retires or when Rafa Benitez decided that Liverpool did not give him the upmost respect and quit….Serie A is too tame for someone like Morinho!
Mr Elvin Woo P F
55 Civil Servant
Comment by Mr Elvin Woo P F — February 16, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
While everyone always is humoured by Mourinho’s egotistical statements, I personally believe there is method to these self-glorifications.(for example his proclaimations that he was the Special One took the heat away from the players in his maiden season). I do not believe he is going for either manager. As some people have commented, it is more an advert for his strengths. (i.e. he is the formula for instant success or at least he will TRY for instant success, unlike Tony Adams and Scolari who stated they needed TIME). He is still a relatively young manager and he would love to manage a top club in the EPL again. What better way then to highlight his strengths in the press. He is not gunning for either manager. He is gunning for future employment in their clubs, putting himself foward as a viable replacement when they retire/leave.
Comment by Jevan Li,20 — February 17, 2009 @ 11:49 am
I feel that Mourinho was aiming, practically at most of the league managers, not only Rafa and Alex. Which manager wouldn’t give an excuse? Instant success is not guaranteed, and the board knows that as well.
If Mourinho would compare himself against Fergie and Benitez, he would stand at no where. There’s no doubt that Chelsea’s success under him was hugely relied on Russian money. So what has he done at Inter then? Time will tell if he’s truly a great manager like Fergie and Rafa.
I know many will disagree with me with saying that Benitez is a great manager. Considering the money. squad and time he’s been at Anfield, I think he has done a fantastic job.
Comment by Haley Harrison — February 17, 2009 @ 6:32 pm
Let me remind you people of one thing. Jose Mourinho managed FC PORTO which was a nobody team to the Champions League. So to say Mourinho was given teams of superstars, plenty of transfer kitty, bla, bla must be human error.
I feel Mourinho may return to Chelsea with or without Roman as owner. When I was a Chelsea fan, I noticed how strong the bond between Chelsea, Mourinho and the fans. Deco may say he came because of Scolari. And he will definitely stay if Mourinho comes back. I dare say every player who played for Mourinho feels he is their best manager of all time!
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, Sengkang Punggol fan
Comment by Alex Hart — March 7, 2009 @ 6:04 am