The Special One
BY RICK TITTLE
The most famous soccer manager in the world right now is Jose Mourinho. While he’s yet to take the helm of any nation, his prowess among the club level is pretty astounding. This week he was appointed the new man in charge of Real Madrid, and fans of that great franchise are expecting nothing but success. Mourinho had just won the UEFA Champions’ League with Inter and was interested in a new challenge.
He now will attempt to win that storied European Cup with a third team. He earlier had won it with unfancied Porto in his native Portugal before moving on to Chelsea. There at Stamford Bridge, along with the bottomless pockets of owner Roman Abramovich, he took the Blues to their first titles in decades. Upon arriving in London, he told the media that he was a “special one”, and that self-proclaimed moniker has stuck with him ever since.
It was a modest beginning for the young Mourinho. After trying to emulate his father as a player, he realized that he couldn’t make it and turned to management. His big break came when he served as Sir Bobby Robson’s interpreter at Sporting Lisbon before moving with him to Barcelona. He also leaned from the minds of Andy Roxburgh and Louis Van Gaal. I first heard of Mourinho when my Tottenham team was rumored to be interested in him in 2002.
A few years ago Mourinho brought CFC to Stamford Stadium in the summer (he also brought Inter there last summer) to face Mexico’s Club America in an exhibition match. As a longtime columnist for European Soccer Weekly, I acquired press credentials and spoke with several of the players after the match. After a brief talk with Mourinho, I asked him for a quick snapshot I took with an extended arm. You see the result on this page: the fat, sweaty guy is me – the exhausted, stubbly guy is Mourinho. This picture was actually printed in Four Four Two, the world’s leading soccer magazine out of England.
So while you will not see The Special One roaming the sidelines in South Africa this summer, you most likely will next time the World Cup happens in Brazil. Mourinho has stated that he wishes to take over as Portugal’s manager once he wins the Champions’ League with his new Galacticos in Madrid. What is that old sports saying about how the best managers were never the best players? It certainly works in this case.
Rick Tittle can be reached at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Blue Goo Medicine Minute
Head and Mouth Protection: Think about whatever sports you're into these days and be prepared to take a shot to the head or mouth somewhere, some time, or some how. There are several ways to protect your precious cargo. Click below to listen.