The Mourinho Thread

[milka 3,362]

José Mourinho and Chelsea have yet to strike an agreement over return

Talks between parties representing José Mourinho and Chelsea over his potential return remain ongoing, with no agreement as yet struck despite the Portuguese's very public courting of his former club in the aftermath of Real Madrid's Champions League exit on Tuesday night.

Mourinho, whose trophy-laden if turbulent spell of a little over three seasons in London ended abruptly in the autumn of 2007, suggested he expects to leave the Bernabéu at the end of the current campaign and move to a club "where people love me".

He is considered favourite to become Chelsea's permanent manager – once Rafael Benítez's interim stewardship draws to a close in June – having reconciled with Roman Abramovich in the years since, but is technically only one of a number of candidates to whom the Londoners are speaking.

While Chelsea will only publicly address the managerial situation at Stamford Bridge once the season is complete, discussions have been taking place for some time behind the scenes and the hierarchy, via intermediaries, have sounded out potential replacements for Roberto Di Matteo, who became the fifth full-time manager sacked by Abramovich in the period since Mourinho departed London, when he was relieved of his duties last November. The Portuguese is understood to be top of that list, though there remain issues that need to be ironed out before he could swap Spain for the Premier League.

His contractual ties with Real are one, given his current deal extends to 2016, but primary among the obstacles remains the amount of power he would be able to wield back at Chelsea. The original fracture of his relationship with Abramovich during his previous spell at the club was born of frustrations over transfer policy, with the imposition of Avram Grant as a director of football riling the Portuguese.

Yet, if he was to return, Mourinho would have to accept the existing structure at the club, particularly given the positions of the chief executive, Ron Gourlay, and the technical director, Michael Emenalo, are not believed to be under any threat. Indeed, the latter heavily influences the club's scouting and recruitment.

It remains to be seen whether Mourinho, who has also generated interest from Paris Saint-Germain, will accept that hierarchy within the club and can therefore secure the return to which he alluded on Tuesday night after Borussia Dortmund eliminated his Real team from the Champions League.

"I want to be where people love me to be," he said. "I know in England I'm loved. I'm loved by the fans, I'm loved by the media that treats me in a fair way, criticising me but giving me credit when I deserve it. I know I'm loved by some clubs, especially one, and in Spain, the situation is a bit different because some people hate me."

Many on the playing staff would welcome his arrival, which could yet have an influence on whether Frank Lampard is offered a one-year contract to extend his stay at the club beyond the summer. John Terry is entering the final year of his current deal, with both having been key players during Mourinho's first spell in charge. The defender Branislav Ivanovic, who joined under Grant, was quoted in the Serb newspaper Vecernje Novosti saying: "Everyone who loves Chelsea hopes Mourinho will return.

"As players we don't have any confirmed information that he would return. But we would all like it to happen because he is one of the best coaches in the world. He is immensely respected by all for what he has done for the club. With him we can be stronger as a club. It would add another dimension to Chelsea, and it would be sure to help us become one of the main contenders for the title."

Chelsea have also sounded out the Málaga manager, Manuel Pellegrini, over his potential availability having been impressed with the Spanish club's progress into the Champions League quarter-finals this term. The Chilean, who has previously coached at Real Madrid and Villarreal, is contracted for a further season though there is a buy-out clause believed to be set at around £3.4m for his services.

Other options mooted have been David Moyes, who is out of contract at Everton in the summer, or Atlético Madrid's Diego Simeone, while the former Chelsea players Gus Poyet and Gianfranco Zola have impressed with their progress at the Championship clubs Brighton and Watford respectively this term.

It falls upon Benítez to secure Champions League qualification – his team are currently third – before he departs, with his side hoping to secure their progress into the Europa League final by seeing off Basel at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night. The Londoners are 2-1 up from last week's leg in Switzerland, with a full squad having trained at Cobham ahead of the tie on Wednesday morning.

The interim manager is also due to take the side on their post-season tour of the United States, where they will play Manchester City in St Louis and New York, with no formal announcement on a permanent appointment anticipated until June.

[The Skipper 20,593]

I hope that improves him as a manager because whatever he's doing now isn't working.

I think that's quite harsh to say - one average stint at Real doesn't mean he's regressed as a manager. Obviously he can improve, every manager does, even SAF does till this day; he's still one of the very best managers in the world.

[Heartbeat 21]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ8eKIRlUNI&hd=1

[bushman 2,043]

To wish for Pep & his boring tika-taka style, as I read above, it just makes me laugh.

If Jose is signed & duplicates the same football as in Chelsea back in 06 I will be the happiest fan around.

Personally, I do not need any other style. Chelsea will win a couple of trophies, then.

Roman´s money, Jose´s know how, an offensive style of football, just shore up the midfield, & let´s boogie.

[Styles 9,790]

This is a very good article http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/may/01/jose-mourinho-real-madrid

There's also comment section at the end which makes for good reading.

[Cosmin 2,484]

How can people want tiki taka at Chelsea? That is not our style, that does not respect our identity as a football club. We are not meant to play tiki taka.

Jose is the perfect man for us and for our identity, specially since he is the one that created a big part of that identity.

[bushman 2,043]

Tika-taka for slow pokes, dwarfs & perhaps the old ?

[Heisenberg 1,824]

How can people want tiki taka at Chelsea? That is not our style, that does not respect our identity as a football club. We are not meant to play tiki taka.

Jose is the perfect man for us and for our identity, specially since he is the one that created a big part of that identity.

What is Tiki Taka ?

Because many forgot, Barcelona play possession-football because they have the talent to dominate you, we, are playing with Mikel-Ramires in our double pivot.

[didierforever 7,349]

Personaly I think that Kdedira made big change too. Dortmund were fast and strong, the main problem of Real was their midfield. After Khedira came in Real was faster and stronger. I feel Alonso shouldnt have started game. He lost many many balls and was realy slow and sloppy in possession.

But why should they play counters? I mean yes its their best game, but they needed 3 goals. In counter attack you play very defensively and you need to be very patient and score every chance you get. If Real scored in first half (they were very close) they would win. Unfortunely Higuain was shit and Ronaldo was (if you ask me) the worst player. Losing balls, always trying to dribble instead of quick one-twos. And his finishing was awful.

But Real overall should play attacking football. Fast passing. Mou realy didnt suit Real with such defensive style. Hence why some people (mostly spanish) dislike him because they love attacking football.

NO NO... u got me wrong... i was saying that they should have played counter attacking football in the first leg... especially after the 1st half when they were 1-1 (very undeservedly)... but instead they came out of the dressong room and made the same mistakes...

[IkE 267]

What is Tiki Taka ?

Because many forgot, Barcelona play possession-football because they have the talent to dominate you, we, are playing with Mikel-Ramires in our double pivot.

I always see the Barcelona playing style I feel narcolepsy.

[Heisenberg 1,824]

I always see the Barcelona playing style I feel narcolepsy.

Let me refresh your mind :

5-0 vs Madrid

4-1 vs Arsenal

6-2 vs Madrid

2-0 in the UCL Finale.

3-1 Again vs United.

3-1 Arsenal

4-0 Valencia many times.

5-0 against most of the La Liga teams in the past four years.

Yes this season their football isnt as beatiful as he was, but one bad season cant deny the fact that they are truely one of the greatest teams in the history, and won all these titles by having many players from their young system.

[IkE 267]

Let me refresh your mind :

5-0 vs Madrid

4-1 vs Arsenal

6-2 vs Madrid

2-0 in the UCL Finale.

3-1 Again vs United.

3-1 Arsenal

4-0 Valencia many times.

5-0 against most of the La Liga teams in the past four years.

Yes this season their football isnt as beatiful as he was, but one bad season cant deny the fact that they are truely one of the greatest teams in the history, and won all these titles by having many players from their young system.

I'm not talking about this year, I'm talking about every single match since Rijkaard leave Barcelona. Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass, pass

I'll rather take a nap than see Barcelona playing.

[xPetrCechx 13,565]

STOP SPAMMING!!!

[FabHazard 655]

I know many people don't find barca's style as entertaining.IMO i like to see efficient passing and controlling the game.Barca in pep era are the best attacking side in the world.But current barca team are in decline.They are not using the potential of tikitaka fully.

Tiki taka and fast paced counter attacking are best in their own way.Opinions may differ accordingly.

[bushman 2,043]

Fuck the dwarfs of Barca & their boring style of passing & ....

We want Jose, Fellaini, Schurrle, Falcao & Essien comes back with Jose & see what Chelsea can do next season.

[xPetrCechx 13,565]

Mate, any fresh news from you?

All the latest news already been posted here... Need to wait...

[Henrique 9,133]

What is Tiki Taka ?

Because many forgot, Barcelona play possession-football because they have the talent to dominate you, we, are playing with Mikel-Ramires in our double pivot.

Tiki Taka is a stupid name that stupid people created to describe Barcelona's playing style.

ps: Ramires has humiliated Barcelona one year ago in Camp Nou, Ramires >>>>> Busquets

[lucio 5,418]

tiki taka is absolute wank. its lame , boring , like watching paint dry and to do it successfully you need a team of pussys.