Jose Mourinho is a polarising figure – people either adore or loathe him. He’s charismatic yet controversial. But no-one can argue with his record.
And after his team, Inter Milan, travelled to Stamford Bridge to face his former club and heavy favourite, Chelsea, and dumped them out of the Champions League, the question being bandied around is: is he on track to becoming the greatest manager ever?
Having only been managing clubs for around a decade, he cannot be considered the greatest yet. But the extraordinary start to his managerial career has caused people to ask the question.
Mourinho cut his managerial teeth as a translator to the late Sir Bobby Robson at Sporting CP, Porto FC and the Spanish giants Barcelona FC.
His first managerial post was at Benfica, followed by União de Leiria.
His first real success came at Porto, where he led them to back-to-back titles in 02-03 and 03-04, combined with the UEFA cup in 02-03 and the prestigious Champions League in 03-04. The Champions League success, with such a small budget against such European powers as Marseille, Manchester United and Lyon, announced Mourinho as a rising star in European football.
Chelsea was next for Mourinho, and he continued his success with two EPL titles, and three domestic cups.
He had a fallout with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, and moved to Italian giants Inter Milan. He led them to the Serie A title and the Supercoppa, and is on track for another Serie A title this year.
The extraordinary thing about his record is that it has been accomplished in just over a decade.
His football has been criticised as negative and defensive, but his results cannot be questioned. Mourinho also is undefeated at home for over 130 matches, stretching back to February 2002, and encompassing his time at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.
Some criticise him as a “chequebook” manager, implying he’s only had success due to the large amount of money at his disposal, especially while at Chelsea. But as Real Madrid have shown recently with their shock Champions League exit to Lyon; it’s one thing to have money, it’s another to use it wisely and make it count.
Mourinho won’t stay at Inter Milan forever.
He has flagged a desire to return to England one day, and many consider him a hot favourite to take over once the mercurial Sir Alex Ferguson retires from Manchester United. He also has indicated he would like to manage Portugal in the future.
One thing is for sure, if Mourinho continues to manage into the future as he has in first decade of his career, there is nothing stopping the man self described as “The Special One” from becoming the greatest of all time.
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