In January 2012 Jose Mourinho was booed and whistled by Real Madrid fans at the Santiago Bernabeu despite overseeing his side beating Athletic Bilbao 4-1. The victory coming in a week that saw claims of dressing-room unrest and an alleged revolt from some key players in the wake of the home defeat to Barcelona.
At the time Mourinho played the media card saying "There is a first time for everything," he said. "It never happened to me at Porto, or at Inter or at Chelsea. It does not bother me. It happened to Zidane, it happened to Cristiano Ronaldo and it happened to the other Ronaldo. If it happened to them then why not to me. They responded with their football and I will keep working hard."
Although Madrid were five points clear at the top of La Liga too many details of the dressing showdown hit the front page of daily sports paper Marca. Yet despite the unrest Mourinho was on course to secure the title signing a new four-year contract long the way to supposedly remain until 2016. Hopefully to win that elusive tenth Champions League title for the Madrid faithful. However, within twelve months The Special One at Chelsea leaving an unfulfilled legacy and a much fractured club behind him in Madrid.
Now three years later Chelsea are suffering some similar symptoms but conversely are trailing the Premier League leaders by eight points after winning just one game in five games. Conceding twelve goals along the way - the highest the league bar one – Sunderland – who are anchored to the bottom of the table. With the sight of Manchester City no less once more as leaders under Manuel Pellegrini.
Such a sight must make even the strongest of men quiver a bit at Stamford Bride with the unease none more evident than with Mourinho himself. Who is now repeating some of the antics from his time at Real Madrid as the chances of retaining the Premier League title already fade.
Strikingly Mourinho has also just been awarded a new four-year contract - signed less than two months ago – meaning no matter how he leaves Chelsea it will be with even more cash in his bank account.
His track record in Portugal, England, Italy or Spain proof that he can win leagues and indeed retain the. As he did with Porto where he left them as European Champions and joined Chelsea bringing the league title back to the bridge in 2005 and 2006. Repeating the same feat at Inter Milan and improving in his second year with a historic treble.
Although at Real Madrid he failed to secure the elusive tenth Champions League. A plan that was undone by Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund in his second two seasons. So true to form after winning La Liga in 2012 for Madrid he packed his kit bag when the next year fell apart and moved back to Chelsea – the quagmire where he finds himself now.
Where last Saturday some unnecessary exchanges with Everton manager Roberto Martinez were less than edifying. As have been some of the comments about some of his players recently. Particularly last year’s stars such as Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas. The very public row with the club physio Eva Carneiro not helpful. If not also needless whatever the underlying issues – all of which could have easily been handled internally. This added to his very public spats with Arsene Wenger at the Community Shield. Or the comments about Rafael Benitez in the opening game of the La Liga season.
Clearly a man who now seems to be at odds even with his own shadow.
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