Mourinho And His New Champions League Dream

The Unyielding One: How Rejection Forged Mourinho’s Iron Will

The ability to find beauty in unattractive things is a poet's gift. Thomas Hardy, the acclaimed author from England, was a master of this. Separately, José Mourinho, who previously managed Chelsea, called one specific game the most remarkable loss he ever experienced. On the surface, the two men seem to have little in common. But the manager's pragmatic mindset and the writer's thoughts make the source of the phrase ambiguous. Was it a comment after a game or a poet's reflection?

The manager's core beliefs are explored in a documentary from BBC Sport, How to Win the Champions League: Jose Mourinho. Much of this understanding comes from a pivotal turn of events that occurred in mid-2008. Inside the Camp Nou, a critical juncture altered the course of Mourinho's career. The incident was a deep personal setback for Mourinho, as it involved rejection, which led to an embrace of cold pragmatism. The famous writer from the Victorian era, Hardy, would have certainly admired this new approach.

The Porto Uprising

In 2004, José Mourinho orchestrated one of the most incredible victories in the history of the Champions League. He guided FC Porto, a squad of overlooked players, to the pinnacle of European football. This success was not the result of expensive signings but of tactical rigor and a formidable siege mentality. When Mourinho took over at Porto in January 2002, the club was languishing in fifth place. He boldly declared he would make them champions, a vow he fulfilled with astonishing speed.

Mourinho painstakingly reshaped the team. He signed individuals like Deco, Paulo Ferreira, and Nuno Valente, building a unit prepared to battle for one another. During his first complete season, Porto clinched the Primeira Liga, the Portuguese Cup, and the UEFA Cup. The next year, they surpassed this feat. The team won another domestic league championship and aimed for the most prestigious prize in Europe. Their run was a masterclass in practical football, prioritizing defensive strength and swift counter-offensives. To this day, no club from beyond the major five leagues in Europe has managed to win the competition.

A Shock to the System

Porto's European campaign in 2003-04 began uncertainly, gathering just a single point from their initial two group matches. Yet, a subsequent run of three straight wins ensured their progression to the knockout phase. Their round-of-16 matchup with Manchester United is now the stuff of legend. Following a 2-1 victory in their home leg, Porto were close to being knocked out at Old Trafford. But a last-gasp goal from Costinha propelled them into the next round.

The sight of Mourinho dashing down the sideline to join his players' celebration signaled his dramatic entrance onto the global stage. This kind of showing became a signature of his squads: absorbing pressure, dictating the match's rhythm, and capitalizing on opponents' mistakes. They handily defeated Lyon in the quarter-finals and edged past Deportivo La Coruña in a nail-biting semi-final. In the championship match, they took on AS Monaco. An early strike by Carlos Alberto established the momentum, with Dmitri Alenichev and Deco adding two more goals to secure a memorable 3-0 win.

Image Credit - Goal

The 'Special One' Arrives

After his European success with Porto, Mourinho joined Chelsea in 2004. During his inaugural press conference, he famously labeled himself "a special one," a moniker the British press eagerly embraced. His entry into England heralded a fresh chapter for the top tier of English football. He came with a tactical sharpness and a combative demeanor that instantly distinguished him. His initial tenure at Chelsea was marked by a fierce rivalry with Rafa Benítez of Liverpool and Arsène Wenger of Arsenal.

Mourinho molded Chelsea into a powerhouse. He constructed a team centered on a nucleus of strong, tactically astute players. In his debut season, Chelsea claimed the Premier League championship, their first in half a century, shattering multiple records in the process. They also won the League Cup. The next season, they clinched another top-flight league championship, solidifying Mourinho's standing as a world-class manager. His work at Chelsea set the stage for a successful decade at the club.

The Camp Nou Rejection

In mid-2008, Barcelona was searching for a fresh face to lead the team, replacing Frank Rijkaard. The final selection was narrowed down to José Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. With his distinguished record, Mourinho appeared to be the evident frontrunner. He had previously been on the staff at the Camp Nou, serving as an assistant to both Louis van Gaal and Sir Bobby Robson during the 1990s. Guardiola, by comparison, had just a single year of coaching experience with the Barcelona B squad.

The Barcelona board, however, had a distinct path in mind. They sought a coach who would champion the club's ethos, which was heavily influenced by the principles of Johan Cruyff. Mourinho laid out a comprehensive strategy, but his contentious image and practical tactics raised red flags. The club was wary he would not align with their dedication to fluid, attacking football and nurturing young talent. In the end, they went with Guardiola, a choice that former president Joan Laporta acknowledged was divisive among board members. This refusal would have a lasting impact on Mourinho's career.

Birth of the 'Dark Lord'

Barcelona’s choice to hire Guardiola was a difficult outcome for Mourinho to accept. Jonathan Wilson, a journalist for The Guardian, pinpoints this as the time Mourinho turned into the "Dark Lord." He decided then to confront the 'tiki-taka' football philosophy that Guardiola championed. A new objective formed in his mind. If opponents prioritized entertaining play, he would make sure the experience was miserable for them. Winning became the only thing that mattered, far more than style.

This change in mindset was most apparent during his leadership of Inter Milan. He came to Italy in 2008, taking over a squad of gifted but inconsistent performers. He wasted no time in cultivating a new attitude. He developed a profound, individual rapport with his players, fostering a "family" dynamic. This method nurtured a remarkable loyalty and solidarity, which proved vital in their pursuit of European dominance.

Forging the Inter Family

While at Inter Milan, Mourinho's skills in managing people were at their zenith. He cultivated a distinctive team environment, mixing tactical rigor with a powerful sense of fellowship. Former captain Javier Zanetti remembered how Mourinho fostered a "family" during their shared time. The team frequently organized Argentine barbecues, or asados, which Mourinho also took part in. These events were more than just social get-togethers; they were essential for forging solidarity and a collective mission.

Zanetti's connection with Mourinho was more profound than a standard player-coach relationship. He called it a deeply personal human connection that would endure. This intimate bond was a defining feature of Mourinho's most triumphant squads. He invested time in knowing his players individually, understanding their histories, families, and personal battles. This tactic, also commended by Benni McCarthy from their Porto days, inspired players to give their absolute all for him.

Image Credit - BBC

The Treble-Winning Machine

The 2009-10 season represented the apex of Mourinho’s tenure at Inter. The club secured an unmatched treble, capturing the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League. The domestic run demonstrated their consistency and grit. They won the Coppa Italia by beating Roma 1-0. The Serie A championship race was decided on the last day, with Inter ending just two points clear of the same rival. This victory was their fifth consecutive league win.

Mourinho's tactical genius was evident all season. He brought in key figures like Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o, and Diego Milito, all of whom were instrumental. The transfer that moved Eto'o from Barcelona to Inter for a large sum plus Zlatan Ibrahimović was a stroke of genius. The squad was a masterful combination of defensive strength and offensive power, equally adept at securing narrow victories and dominating their opposition.

The Nou Camp Epic

The peak of Mourinho’s pragmatism was on show during a Champions League semi-final versus Guardiola's Barcelona. Inter came to the Nou Camp ground holding a 3-1 advantage from the initial leg of the semi-final. The environment was intense. A large banner with the Catalan word for 'comeback' greeted the teams. The home supporters’ hopes soared after Thiago Motta of Inter was sent off with a red card. The next hour was an exhibition of tactical resistance that would define Mourinho’s professional life.

Reduced to ten players, Inter put up a spirited defense. They were disciplined, tough, and completely dedicated to their goal. Mourinho later called the effort "epic," a game that called for "heroes." They ended up losing the match 1-0, but their 3-2 aggregate win put them into the championship game. To Mourinho, this was the most remarkable loss he ever experienced, a credit to his team's determination and spirit. It was a tactical victory he brilliantly engineered.

Conquering Europe Again

After defeating Barcelona, Inter met Bayern Munich in the final at Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu. The German team was led by Louis van Gaal, Mourinho’s old mentor from Barcelona. The championship match was a tactical tour de force from Inter. They withstood Bayern's attacks and launched devastatingly effective counter-attacks. The Argentine forward Diego Milito became the evening's star, netting both goals in a 2-0 win.

The victory gave Inter their first European title in 45 years and sealed their legendary treble. This achievement solidified Mourinho's reputation as one of the finest managers of his era. With this victory, he joined a small group of coaches who had won the premier European tournament with a pair of different clubs. The win was an affirmation of his strategies and a defiant reply to his critics. It was a victory founded on team spirit, tactical smarts, and an unwavering confidence in his direction.

The Tearful Goodbye

Following the final of the 2010 Champions League, talk about Mourinho's next move started immediately. An offer from Real Madrid was on the table, signaling his Italian chapter was closing. An instance that showed the person beneath the pragmatic surface was captured in archival footage. It showed a teary hug between the manager and his defender, Marco Materazzi, just outside the stadium. He had left the team bus moments before, but seeing his player, he could not stay detached. The contrast in his personality was captured in this single event. Just over a week passed before he was announced as the new manager for Real Madrid.

The Clásico Wars

Mourinho’s arrival at Real Madrid in 2010 set off one of the most heated rivalries in the sport's history. His hiring placed him in direct opposition to Guardiola's Barcelona, and the 'El Clásico' games that followed were filled with tension, scandal, and immense pressure. The rivalry represented a collision of philosophies and characters. Mourinho’s practical, defense-first strategy stood in stark contrast to Guardiola’s game plan, which was based on possession and attacking.

Their initial meeting was a humbling lesson for Mourinho, as Barcelona routed Real Madrid 5-0. Yet, he swiftly adjusted his game plan. In April 2011, the rivals clashed four times in 18 days, battling in La Liga, the Copa del Rey final, and the Champions League semi-final. Real Madrid claimed the Copa del Rey, but Barcelona advanced in Europe. These encounters were frequently tense, with Mourinho often lambasting officials and fanning the flames of discord.

A King's Return and Decline

In 2012, Mourinho guided Real Madrid to a La Liga championship, breaking Barcelona's hold on the domestic league. The next year, he departed Madrid for a return to Chelsea. His second stint at Stamford Bridge yielded another top-flight league championship and a League Cup, but it concluded bitterly in 2015. He then took the helm at Manchester United, where he secured the League Cup and the Europa League. However, his tenure at Old Trafford was also characterized by public disagreements with his players and an inability to contend for the highest honour in English football.

A later managerial role at Tottenham Hotspur concluded without any silverware, causing many to wonder if his strategies were still potent in contemporary football. His confrontational approach, which once cultivated such intense allegiance, now appeared to sow discord. The sport had changed, and some believed Mourinho had not kept pace. His more recent career has been a blend of his former genius and periods of frustrating underperformance.

The Modern Player Paradox

The way Mourinho handles his players, once his key advantage, has turned into a point of friction in his later jobs. His tenures at Tottenham and Manchester United were notable for public disagreements with star athletes such as Dele Alli and Paul Pogba. These incidents underscored a widening gap between his approach and what modern footballers expect from a manager. The very method that had cultivated loyalty from players like Materazzi and Zanetti now seemed to push away some of the sport's top talents.

The contradiction in Mourinho's leadership lies in his demand for unwavering loyalty and selflessness, which can be both his greatest tool and his most significant weakness. When his players embrace his vision, the outcomes can be extraordinary. When they resist, it can harm both the player and the organization. This has been a consistent pattern in the later stages of his career, as he has found it difficult to inspire the same level of dedication he commanded at Inter and Porto.

Redemption in Rome

In 2021, Mourinho embarked on a new endeavor with AS Roma. Many perceived this as a step back, yet it provided him an opportunity to restore his standing. In his inaugural season, he guided the team to a win in the first-ever UEFA Europa Conference League. This was Roma's first major European title and their first trophy of any kind in 14 years. The victory served as a form of vindication for Mourinho.

This achievement made him the first coach to claim a major European title with four separate clubs. It also served as a testament to his persistent knack for winning trophies, often when the odds were stacked against him. The joyous celebrations in Rome demonstrated that his personal charm and his rapport with the supporters were as potent as ever. While the Conference League might not hold the same prestige as the Champions League, the victory was a major accomplishment for both the club and Mourinho.

A New Chapter in Turkey

After his departure from Roma in January 2024, Mourinho did not remain unemployed for long. By June, he had been named the new head coach for the Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahçe. His introduction at the club's home ground was greeted with a thunderous welcome from thousands of overjoyed fans. The appointment signals a fresh stage in his illustrious career, marking his first time managing in Turkey.

Mourinho assured the supporters he would infuse his winning ethos into the club, stating, "This shirt is my skin." Fenerbahçe placed second in the Süper Lig in the previous season, losing only a single match. The organization is optimistic that Mourinho's leadership will be the spark needed to surpass their rivals, Galatasaray. It represents a fresh test for the 61-year-old, one he seems eager to embrace. His first priority is to steer the squad through the preliminary rounds of the Champions League.

The Mourinho Legacy

More than a decade after his historic treble with Inter, Mourinho's self-belief and confidence are as strong as they ever were. He correctly notes that both Inter and Porto have not replicated their European triumphs after his departure. His position in the annals of football is firm. He has two Champions League medals, has won league titles across four nations, and is the sole manager to secure all three main UEFA club trophies.

His strategies may spark debate, and his prominence may have dimmed lately, but his influence on football is clear. He is a master of mind games, a tactical pioneer, and a superb manager of people. The blend of pragmatism and sentimentality in his nature makes him an incredibly fascinating personality. Regardless of one's opinion of him, José Mourinho is, and will forever be, a true original.