Friday, September 21, 2007

Jose Mourinho Leaves Chelsea!

The Special One is gone. Jose Mourinho has resigned from the most hated job in club football. Much to the surprise of the owner, chief executive, captain and everyone, he’s taken a decision that has ‘enough’s enough’ written all over it. It is utter injustice to a man who, along with Roman, made us what we are today. With Jose gone unexpectedly, we’re at a state of huge confusion now as to who would take up his job and when, what do the players feel and what can we expect this season?

It is very unfortunate that we’ve lost Jose. We will realise this more when delivers for another club. Always, the fear that we have for our rivals tends to be more than the respect that we have on our own men. All other top premier league managers and rival fans must be rejoicing that he’s gone and that should tell you all. In my view, he is the best manager in the world, complete in all respects. To bring the situations and circumstances that made him to leave, is quite a shame.

The club also confirmed Mourinho's backroom staff have also left the club.

Baltemar Brito (assistant manager/coach), Rui Faria (assistant
manager/fitness coach) Andre Villas (head opposition scout/first team
coach) and Silvino Louro (assistant manager/goalkeeper coach) have all
departed.

There are quite a lot of questions that should be lingering in my mind and yours too. These are the questions and my answers:

Why did he leave?

Certainly not because of our form, I guess. There was some private meeting last night involving Jose and Roman which was followed up by Jose’s surprise exit. It is a surprise to all parties involved including Roman and Kenyon. It was all so sudden that Jose had to send a text message to Terry on this.

Jose was always unhappy at the behind-the-scene happenings and the way his freedom was impacted by club management. Some papers call it a bust-up between Jose and Roman in an emergency meeting. Surely, something strange must have happened last night. In Roman and Jose, we are talking about two big egos which justify their personality. May be there was a verbal duel that hurt Jose, and for a man of his self-respect, he would have pulled the trigger.

How will the players take it?

The Chelsea players absolutely admire Jose and owe quite a lot to him. You’d still remember that when there were rumours in January of his exit, almost all players rallied round him to show their support. His exit would be a huge disappointment for the players. May not mean that some of them would leave with him. Roman has tied up the players with the super pay scales, that any move anywhere would be quite difficult, but not impossible. Lampard has not signed a contract yet but I hope that Jose’s exit would not impact his decision. Surely, the players would be really disappointed to see Jose go and that would surely show up in their performance in the short run - either they’ll come out all guns blazing and surrender meekly, with their mind not on the game.

What has he left us?

Lots. He’s has put us right inside the top bracket of European clubs. He has created history that no one can deny that. He’s has brought us success and records that cannot be erased. In just 3 years time, he (and Roman) has made Chelsea is a major force in English football and European football. May be, now that he’s gone, we would feel more grateful for his signings such as Drogba, Essien, SWP, Carvalho, Ferreira, Kalou, Ashley Cole, Malouda and so on. I would include Terry as well, as he signed the contract extension in the hope that Jose would stay.

In short, he has made Chelsea a formidable opponent and a very difficult rival for all the old boys here. His most important contribution for the team is the fighting spirit and work ethic that we boast of. The spirit and the togetherness that he has brought to the team is something no kind of money can buy. Finally, he made us champions, by winning the titles and also otherwise.

What happens now for Chelsea?

Come to terms. Our top manager has gone. Now Roman should go find a manager who is as good as Jose and be able to deliver more than what Jose did. Quite a tough task for Roman as well as the new manager. Avram Grant would step in to the manager’s role until a new manager is appointed. I doubt if the new manager would be appointed soon. That’s because Jose has surprised almost everyone. I don’t think Roman would be able to bring someon by this week. If he was ever thinking about life after Jose, he might have a few names in his mind - Didier Deschamps, Guus Hiddink and may even be Avram Grant himself. To bring anyone, other than Avram Grant, in a short period would not be that easy. But the reports say that Didier Deschamps is all set to take the baton from Jose.

I don’t think anyone would be really enthusiastic about taking up the Chelsea job. Having seen that the best manager has not got enough backing by the club and press, it is certainly a very hot seat, that many would like to avoid irrespective of the money it showers on you. It needs a very very strong personality and mentality to be the Chelsea coach now, knowing the expectations and demands of the club, the negativity of the press towards Chelsea, the most hated club tag, and also the consequences if you don’t win three matches on the trot.

What about our title/champions league ambitions?

I don’t think this would put us in a very difficult situation for regaining the title. That’s because, Jose has made the perfect foundation in players, the ethics, the spirit, the winning mentality and the champions mindset. The new manager has a very good and comfortable group of players to work with. In that respect the new manager’s job is already half done. I still think we should win the premier league title and champions league title. If we don’t win these with the new manager, then Jose’s exit will be even more ridiculous.

What happens now for the Premier League?

His rivals should be really happy. They know that a Jose Mourinho-led Chelsea is always a dangerous opponent and he is on course to take Chelsea to new levels. Now that he is gone, they would be really relieved. For Rafa, this has been his dream season so far and it continues so. That said, lot of rival managers respect him and if you remember, Sir Alex has openly stated that he like Jose, enjoys the competition that Jose offers and he does not want Jose to leave the Premier League. In general, for the Premier League, I guess it is a big loss that he’s gone. He was always different and unique and his absence would mean the Press will lot less to make up their pages. Soon we will realise how the Press had ruined his image with their bad journalism. Their bad karma should leave them with a host of tight-lipped, humourless, robotic managers. Rival fans will rejoice as their major source of fear is gone. Whether they admit or not, they would feel mightily relieved. I’ve already read loads and loads of messages in various sites by rival fans, expressing their relief, surprise and joy over the exit of Jose.

What happens now for Jose?

Not sure what kind of restrictions are put forth by his contract. We will have to wait and see if he wants to take up a job in the Premier League. Jose once said that he will not coach another club in the English league. Might take up a job in a club like Sevilla, Valencia or Roma and bring them to the top of their league. Absolutely no news on what he’s going to do next. Whatever he’s upto and whoever he joins, I would follow them and support unless Chelsea meets them. I’d love to read the next edition of his autobiography or biography to read his Chelsea experience.

What do we do now?

Simple. Bear with all the noisy celebrations of rival fans. It would be nice to see Jose
come back and haunt them in champions league, while we can also do that to them. For you all, my message is: The Special One is gone but life moves on. In my eyes, Jose Mourinho is a hero and would remain so always. It is certainly a sad day for Chelsea, fans of Chelsea and the Premier League. I wish Roman repents his decision and brings him back and I’d love to see Jose back in Stamford Bridge. For now, let’s welcome the new manager with the same hopes and ambitions.

* Pictures by Dailymail.co.uk

just my 2cents at 7:57 PM |

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