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Kicked up the backside (allegedly), kicked out of the first final of his Chelsea career and kicked when he was down, Jose Mourinho has endured a memorable week.
It ended with a winner from his most maligned player, Mateja Kezman, in the Carling Cup final. While Cardiff echoed to chants of 'Jose Mourinho', the subject of the Chelsea fans' adoration was watching the final somewhere in the depths of the Millennium Stadium, apparently yelling at a mute television in Portuguese.
Mourinho was removed from the touchline on the orders of the local constabulary. Not content with riling referees, rival managers and even UEFA, he showed it takes a special talent to antagonise the police. His gestures seemed more impudent than incendiary but the FA - set to become closer acquainted with Mourinho as the charges against him mount - will surely summon the Chelsea manager to Soho Square.
And that, it seemed, was that. The celebrations would proceed without Mourinho. Except that, prompted by Didier Drogba, Mourinho made a regal return, escorted to the scene of his triumph, to watch John Terry lift Chelsea's first trophy in five seasons.
Seven days earlier, Mourinho's momentous week began as Chelsea hobbled out of the FA Cup at Newcastle. Back at Barcelona, he began a process of weaning himself out of Catalan affections with an attack on Frank Rijkaard's record in management.
Trophies are not the only measure of success and Rijkaard, in conjunction with Ronaldinho, has revitalised Barcelona. But silverware eluded them last year when Mourinho was winning his fourth and fifth major competitions with Porto.
And he announced Rijkaard's team the day before the match, though Mourinho did not have the foresight to predict a 2-1 defeat. The normally loquacious Portuguese took a temporary vow of silence, upset at what he perceived as an unjust meeting between bronzed referee Anders Frisk and Rijkaard, accusations that baffled Barcelona have denied.
Coupled with his pre-match comments, it saddled Mourinho with the reputation of a sore loser. It also demonstrated an ability of Sir Alex Ferguson's, with attention neatly deflected from the defeated players. But questions about Mourinho's tactical acumen and deployment of substitutes surfaced; at Newcastle, a triple substitution backfired when Wayne Bridge was injured while in the Nou Camp, he persevered with Drogba, whose fractious relationship with Frisk resulted in a red card.
“ That Kezman, a replacement, scored at Cardiff will be all the sweeter for Mourinho. ”
That Kezman, a replacement, scored at Cardiff will be all the sweeter for Mourinho. Though no manager since Kenny Dalglish in 1986 has won the league within 12 months of taking charge, any achievement of Chelsea's invariably involves the suggestion that it is merely the product of heavy investment.
Astute management plays a part, too. Until Drogba's dismissal, Chelsea were producing an outstanding defensive display, reminiscent of Liverpool's suffocation of Barcelona four years before. Mourinho has moulded a back four that, statistically, is shaping up to be England's best ever.
The improvements of individuals reflect well on Mourinho's coaching, too; William Gallas may be a reluctant left back, but is among the Premiership's best in that role and neither Paulo Ferreira nor Ricardo Carvalho entered his tutelage as the accomplished defenders they now are.
Frank Lampard's ever expanding range of passing may be the result of his desire for self-betterment. Joe Cole seems to be on a desperate quest for his manager's approval. And if others regard Mourinho as ungracious, there was a generosity of spirit in his decision to let the banned Carlo Cudicini lead Chelsea out at the Carling Cup final.
He may leave the limelight, but, as on Sunday, he invariably returns.
Perhaps it is part of Mourinho's pact with his players that he remains the centre of attention, allowing them to concentrate on football. Because, whether celebrating maniacally (as at Old Trafford last year) or not (witness his unemotional response to winning the Champions League), the cameras are on Mourinho.
He has a keen sense of the theatrical - the same allegation that was levelled against his Porto side - and a willingness to make outrageous statements. To some, it is arrogance, but that is a luxury that can be afforded the truly talented. And the self-proclaimed 'Special One' has a record that suggests he is.
He has succeeded in breaking English football's duopoly in mind games. He seems to share Ferguson's fun in winding up Arsene Wenger. Now the Scot has Mourinho in his sights, attempting to plant the seeds of a slump with his comments. But to upset Mourinho, he must first understand him. And who does?
Is it inner anger or staged rage? Because, whether excitable or impassive, humourous or histrionic, Mourinho is predictable only in his unpredictability. And to think that Chelsea initially wanted Sven-Goran Eriksson. Second-guessing the Swede has become a national pastime; Mourinho's next move is far harder to call and all the more eagerly anticipated.
for those who want to leave here and view it...
then for those who are okay with me pasting...
Kicked up the backside (allegedly), kicked out of the first final of his Chelsea career and kicked when he was down, Jose Mourinho has endured a memorable week.
It ended with a winner from his most maligned player, Mateja Kezman, in the Carling Cup final. While Cardiff echoed to chants of 'Jose Mourinho', the subject of the Chelsea fans' adoration was watching the final somewhere in the depths of the Millennium Stadium, apparently yelling at a mute television in Portuguese.
Mourinho was removed from the touchline on the orders of the local constabulary. Not content with riling referees, rival managers and even UEFA, he showed it takes a special talent to antagonise the police. His gestures seemed more impudent than incendiary but the FA - set to become closer acquainted with Mourinho as the charges against him mount - will surely summon the Chelsea manager to Soho Square.
And that, it seemed, was that. The celebrations would proceed without Mourinho. Except that, prompted by Didier Drogba, Mourinho made a regal return, escorted to the scene of his triumph, to watch John Terry lift Chelsea's first trophy in five seasons.
Seven days earlier, Mourinho's momentous week began as Chelsea hobbled out of the FA Cup at Newcastle. Back at Barcelona, he began a process of weaning himself out of Catalan affections with an attack on Frank Rijkaard's record in management.
Trophies are not the only measure of success and Rijkaard, in conjunction with Ronaldinho, has revitalised Barcelona. But silverware eluded them last year when Mourinho was winning his fourth and fifth major competitions with Porto.
And he announced Rijkaard's team the day before the match, though Mourinho did not have the foresight to predict a 2-1 defeat. The normally loquacious Portuguese took a temporary vow of silence, upset at what he perceived as an unjust meeting between bronzed referee Anders Frisk and Rijkaard, accusations that baffled Barcelona have denied.
Coupled with his pre-match comments, it saddled Mourinho with the reputation of a sore loser. It also demonstrated an ability of Sir Alex Ferguson's, with attention neatly deflected from the defeated players. But questions about Mourinho's tactical acumen and deployment of substitutes surfaced; at Newcastle, a triple substitution backfired when Wayne Bridge was injured while in the Nou Camp, he persevered with Drogba, whose fractious relationship with Frisk resulted in a red card.
“ That Kezman, a replacement, scored at Cardiff will be all the sweeter for Mourinho. ”
That Kezman, a replacement, scored at Cardiff will be all the sweeter for Mourinho. Though no manager since Kenny Dalglish in 1986 has won the league within 12 months of taking charge, any achievement of Chelsea's invariably involves the suggestion that it is merely the product of heavy investment.
Astute management plays a part, too. Until Drogba's dismissal, Chelsea were producing an outstanding defensive display, reminiscent of Liverpool's suffocation of Barcelona four years before. Mourinho has moulded a back four that, statistically, is shaping up to be England's best ever.
The improvements of individuals reflect well on Mourinho's coaching, too; William Gallas may be a reluctant left back, but is among the Premiership's best in that role and neither Paulo Ferreira nor Ricardo Carvalho entered his tutelage as the accomplished defenders they now are.
Frank Lampard's ever expanding range of passing may be the result of his desire for self-betterment. Joe Cole seems to be on a desperate quest for his manager's approval. And if others regard Mourinho as ungracious, there was a generosity of spirit in his decision to let the banned Carlo Cudicini lead Chelsea out at the Carling Cup final.
He may leave the limelight, but, as on Sunday, he invariably returns.
Perhaps it is part of Mourinho's pact with his players that he remains the centre of attention, allowing them to concentrate on football. Because, whether celebrating maniacally (as at Old Trafford last year) or not (witness his unemotional response to winning the Champions League), the cameras are on Mourinho.
He has a keen sense of the theatrical - the same allegation that was levelled against his Porto side - and a willingness to make outrageous statements. To some, it is arrogance, but that is a luxury that can be afforded the truly talented. And the self-proclaimed 'Special One' has a record that suggests he is.
He has succeeded in breaking English football's duopoly in mind games. He seems to share Ferguson's fun in winding up Arsene Wenger. Now the Scot has Mourinho in his sights, attempting to plant the seeds of a slump with his comments. But to upset Mourinho, he must first understand him. And who does?
Is it inner anger or staged rage? Because, whether excitable or impassive, humourous or histrionic, Mourinho is predictable only in his unpredictability. And to think that Chelsea initially wanted Sven-Goran Eriksson. Second-guessing the Swede has become a national pastime; Mourinho's next move is far harder to call and all the more eagerly anticipated.
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) -- if he can do the same for us, you bet I'd want him as our coach.
