They say in football and in life, that you should never go back, because things will never be as they once were. It’s like going back to an old girlfriend, its never quite as great as it was the first go around, and the issues that made you break up in the first place will still be around. They may not be at front and center, but they are there, probably hidden amongst all the early euphoria, but if you dig a little deeper, they are still there lurking in the shadows, waiting to rear its ugly head. Where am I going with all this….

Jose Mourinho marks the spot

Well the “Special One” Jose Mourinho is attempting to do just that, capture lightening in a bottle, “again”, as he makes his dramatic return to Chelsea.

Mourinho arrives back at Stamford Bridge, somewhat with his tail between his legs. He leaves Spain in the midst of controversy, player unrest, falling out with the teams influential and top stars, arguments with the board, dissension among the players and an unhealthy and antagonistic relationship with the press, indifference towards him by the fans and a trophy less season. Sounds familiar. His spell at Real Madrid has been the hardest in his career.

For a coach that is typically universally loved by, fans, players, press and board a like, his negative experience in Spain is a first. With his ego severly bruised, his solution is to go back to a place where he was loved, adored, where he could do no wrong, (walk on water), to where his legend was made.

Of course Mourinho was already a successful manager before he arrived at Chelsea, but it was at Chelsea where he became widely known. When he first arrived on these shores, Mourinho was just a little known manager from Portugal. Before he became the self proclaimed “Special One” and only a few years removed from his time at Barcelona, where he was crudely known as the “interpreter”.

He first brought attention to himself ten years ago when he brought his Porto team to Old Trafford and they beat Manchester United in the Champions league round of 16. Even though Porto had won the 1st leg 2-1 and were reigning UEFA Cup champions they were given little chance against the mighty Manchester United, on their home turf.
Well the rest as they say is history. Porto scored late with practically the last kick of the game, enough to send them through. At that moment the young Jose Mourinho went running down the sideline to celebrate with his players, right past the United bench and slides on his knees.

Porto went onto to win the Champions League and before the celebrations were over, Mourinho is announced as the new Chelsea manager, were upon the 1st press conference as the new Chelsea manager, he announces himself as the “Special One”

From that time to now, Mourinho has gone onto unprecedented success. He won back to back Premiership titles with Chelsea, one of which was their first. The foundation that he laid at Chelsea has led the club on a period of unparalleled success, which even now multiple years after his departure, is still strong, as this years Europa league title shows.

Before landing in Spain, he made a stop in Italy where he did a fantastic job of bringing back to life a morbid Inter Milan, winning the league title and unfounded Champions League. However, his exploits in Spain have been nowhere near as successful. His Real Madrid side have been cast in the shadows of a great Barcelona team. In his early attempts to combat Barca, he chose an overly aggressive, brutal style of play that brought, condemnation from all corners, accusing him of tarnishing the great name of Real Madrid. He was severly hurt and has not be able to overcome the anguish.

His overall inability to deliver in the champions league and to overcome Barcelona, has been the main but not the only reason, that has led to the overall unhappy relationship, to the point where both parties are happy to see the backs of one another.

Mourinho sees going back to Chelsea as his salvation. A chance to resurrect his batterd ego and get his confidence back. Only time will tellif going back is a good choice.