There was a last-minute goal, but late drama was in short supply at the Nou Camp as Chelsea, bankrolled to the tune of £200million by a Russian Oil Tsar in the past 12 months, were booted out of the european champions league (the creme dela creme of football) by Barcelona. Hubris usually exacts a heavy price and Mourinho’s messianic self-promotion, that he is "the special one", should be brought to an end now. I don't think he realises that you can’t buy a cup competition the way you can a domestic title. Mourinho is two for two in Premiership titles but has won one out of five cup competitions since arriving at Stamford Bridge and that fact cannot be glossed over.
There was nothing "Special" about this match and there is nothing unique about Mourinho’s abilities. He remains what he always was, a very good manager. But he’s not the messiah and on occasions he’s a very naughty boy.
I don't know what it is, but English Soccer seems to have the best Coaching matchups. The coaches seem much more "open" when talking to the media that is, they'll talk shit about each other. Phil Jackson kinda does this stuff over here (playing mind games through the media), but Mourinho's elevated it to an art form.
ReplyDeleteMouriho actually has a degree in Psychology. He is, of course, no threat to the past-master at this mind-game game - Sir Alex Ferguson - who is so effective at winding up his fellow EPL managers that he once made Kevin Keegan (then Newcaslte United manager) crack live on air when as comment Fergie made was relaid to him. Keegan's mind broke in two there and then and he lost his nerve. Newcastles season fell away and we gave up a 12 point lead over Sir Alex's team who overtook us to the EPL title.
ReplyDeleteThis bit is much more interesting than the actual football!