It has been 20 years since one of the vital well-known quotes a supervisor made in soccer historical past. Making his introductory press convention with Chelsea on June 3, 2004, Jose Mourinho embraced his early charisma and fiery persona. He instantly claimed Chelsea can be a contender in each England and Europe. Earlier than his arrival, Chelsea had one top-flight title in its historical past, nevertheless it completed as a runner-up to Arsenal’s invincible within the season prior.
“I’m not a defender of outdated or new soccer managers,” Mourinho mentioned. “I imagine in good ones and dangerous ones, those that obtain success, and people who don’t. Please don’t name me conceited, however I’m a Champions League winner, and I feel I’m a Particular One.”
Thus, Mourinho earned his moniker because the Particular One. On the time, it was a brash assertion for a 41-year-old coach, even when he did thrive within the Primeira Liga. The soar from Portugal to England was a large change, and his managerial prowess can be put beneath strain.
In any case, the Portuguese did greater than again up his claims. In that first season at Chelsea, Mourinho delivered the primary top-flight title for Chelsea since 1954/55 to finish a 49-year drought at Stamford Bridge. He additionally added a League Cup success and reached the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League. Though Champions League success eluded Mourinho whereas he was the Chelsea supervisor, he established the Blues as an elite aspect in Europe.
Mourinho emerged as one of many prime managers in Europe after ‘Particular One’
His managerial performances with Chelsea confirmed that Mourinho was not far off in his estimation of his talents. But, regardless of a home cup double within the 2006/07 season, Chelsea noticed match to half methods with Mourinho, bringing in Avram Grant in his stead. Following his two titles, Chelsea gained one title within the subsequent seven seasons. That frustration pressured the English membership to name him again. Unsurprisingly, Mourinho discovered success with one other Premier League title in 2014/15 with the Blues tacking on one other League Cup title that season.
In between these stints, Mourinho picked up a sensational eight trophies. He gained the treble with Inter Milan within the 2009/10 season, which made him the sixth coach to win the treble in European historical past. His spectacular profession led to twenty-eight trophies as a supervisor. Moreover, he has been named Supervisor of the 12 months 4 occasions. Remarkably, that’s with 4 completely different golf equipment in 4 international locations.
A brand new kind of supervisor
Honors have dried up because the glory days at Chelsea, Actual Madrid and Inter Milan. This previous season, Roma sacked Mourinho because the membership struggled in Italy regardless of current European successes. Now, the Portuguese finds himself as the following supervisor of Fenerbahce in Turkey. Mourinho has repeatedly acknowledged that he needs to work jobs the place the expectations are clear. With a proficient solid of gamers at Fener, he might add extra trophies to his immense cupboard. Even when that doesn’t occur, Mourinho will all the time be recognized by soccer followers because the ‘Particular One.’
PHOTOS: IMAGO
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