Mourinho's return is a mistake

‘Never go back’ they say. But Jose Mourinho has done just that and is once again at the helm of Stamford Bridge as manager of Chelsea.

Mourinho’s time at Real Madrid has been stressful for the mere spectator. The political circus and civil feuds which have surrounded recent times at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium have taken their toll on him.

His hair is shorter and greyed, his skin sags slightly from his tired face. The Mourinho at his inaugural Chelsea press conference this time around will be a little less vibrant than the ‘special one’ who memorably entered the English game back in 2004.

Back then he was hungry to gain the reputation as the greatest manager in the world. He was on the breadth of the wave of having taken a Portuguese club team to Champions League victory – an achievement none had predicted.

The young, charismatic Mourinho had a clean history with nothing on his record but victory. Now he re-enters after, perhaps, his CV’s only blotch; his failure at one of the biggest clubs in the entire world.

Mourinho was tasked with toppling the Spanish domestic dominance of Barcelona, somewhat of his arch-nemesis, and also putting Madrid back in the reckoning for European honours, a competition with which they have such great history but have struggled with in modern times.

But Mourinho could not handle the pressure in Madrid. He could not survive under the watchful eye of President Florentino Pérez who loomed over him like the burden of a mountain of debt. And for the first time in his career his man-management failed to control the dressing room. In the likes of Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos he encountered players with egos as big as his own who revolted against his regime.

Mourinho’s return is almost an attempt to pick up where he left off and forget the time in between his reigns. By returning to Chelsea, Mourinho is trying to return to 2007, or at least 2010 before he joined Madrid, when he was a young man who had never failed.

Admittedly Chelsea have not challenged for the title in the last two seasons, but they have won the Champions League, a trophy with which they have had such an intimate relationship yet which was so elusive to them. If Mourinho could swoop in and snatch this holy-grail for Chelsea then I would suggest his appointment would be justified.

But Roberto Di Matteo has already won the Champions League with Chelsea leaving them with an identity crisis. Chelsea no longer need to prove they can win the major trophies. They are seeking longevity, style and purity – Mourinho has many effective qualities but he does not possess any of these.

Roman Abramovich and his advisory board ditched Mourinho back in 2007 and after several heirs failed to emulate Mourinho’s success, the Russian tycoon finally tried to reinvent Chelsea under Andre Villas-Boas. Young players were signed under a young manager who wanted to win with style.

But unsurprisingly Abramovich became impatient waiting for the long-term project to come to fruition and the stop-gap coaches ever since Villas-Boas was dismissed have merely built a long, winding road back to Mourinho.

Mourinho’s return to Chelsea has the feel of an old, successful TV show returning to air years later. The cast all look a little older and have all experienced highs, lows and misdemeanours since the original production, making the purity of what was originally created somewhat tainted. Additionally, the expectation created by the popularity of the original will be suffocating.

It was key that Mourinho signed up to the second coming, he’ll probably bring Michael Essien back with him. The likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard were always willing to be involved. The absence of stars like Didier Drogba just means it won’t be the same.

‘He’s coming, he’s coming!’ Brace yourself for the fanfare and a love-in between Mourinho and the media. Mourinho has spent the last year alienating himself from the Spanish press whilst cleverly convincing the British media that they adore him.

I hope Mourinho is successful for the sake of English football. The Premiership is certainly in need of a boost. But I wonder if it would’ve been better to hold on to the nostalgic memories of Mourinho’s story at Chelsea rather than to add a new chapter which has the potential to ruin the ending.

Mourinho is an effective manager for specific situations and is a fascinating man. But whether he is tailored for Chelsea in 2013 is certainly questionable.

Follow me on Twitter @RichMaher93

10 things to ask Big Sam Allardyce

You’re at the pub one evening and as you stroll up to the bar, you notice the unmistakeable figure of Sam Allardyce himself sitting on a stool with his sixth pint in hand. Now’s your chance to ask him some real questions off the record, with which he can be completely open without the fear of it covering the back-page of The Sun the following day. Here are ten suggestions…

1. What do you really make of the West Ham fans?

There is still very much a strong group of vocal fans who reject Allardyce as our boss because of his ‘long-ball’, physical tactics and incompatibility with playing ‘the West Ham way’, so it would be interesting to hear if the fact that he has not been fully accepted affects Allardyce. Additionally, his team have performed better away from home and have been subject to boos at Upton Park on more than one occasion; so does Allardyce see the fans as a ‘claret and blue army’, or a thorn in his side who continually criticise him and create a hostile atmosphere for his team?

2. Was it a difficult decision to join West Ham?

There’s no doubt that the Hammers are a sizeable club and provided a great opportunity for Allardyce, but was he concerned about the pressure which would be placed on him to catapult them back into the Premier League at the first time of asking? Also, was he a little bitter about not being chosen to replace Avram Grant in January of last year, having been overlooked whilst Martin O’Neill was available?

3. How is it working with David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady?

We’re sure that Allardyce would’ve been a little sceptical about working with these three after their regular media outbursts prior to his arrival, however it seems that they have toned things down since he joined, suggesting that this was a request when he signed his contract. So how has it been ever since? Are they good to deal with in terms of transfers and have there been any disagreements?

4. Who’s our best player?

It would be interesting to hear from Allardyce, who has been a manager since 1991 and watches the players in training every day, who he genuinely believes is our best player. There is certainly a strong affinity between him and Kevin Nolan but it’s probable that he would go for someone else; perhaps Abdoulaye Faye, James Tomkins or Mark Noble? Or could it be a shock candidate?

5. Did you think Carlton Cole would be better than he is?

When Allardyce signed for West Ham, he was probably rubbing his hands together at the prospect of a 6’ 3”, 12st 3lb, England international striker at his disposal in the second tier of English football who would seemingly fit in perfectly with Allardyce’s system which regularly features a target-man. However, although he has scored a few goals, he has failed to set the world alight, so do you think Allardyce is a little disappointed by him?

6. What do you see in Jack Collison?

Collison started his West Ham career with a string of impressive performances which suggested he had great potential. However, since a long-term injury, he has had a tendency to appear rather ineffectual in games and often pulls out of challenges. Despite seemingly offering little to nothing, Allardyce consistently chooses him, so what do you see in him Sam and how far do you realistically think he can go?

7. Do you have concerns about Ravel Morrison’s personality?

It seems that Morrison is a highly-regarded young player with enormous potential, and that is certainly why Allardyce decided to sign him. But it would be interesting to hear if this was a difficult decision due to concerns about his previous convictions and whether Allardyce feared he could unsettle the camp. Also, how long until we see him in the first-team?

8. How far can Mark Noble go?

We have all been impressed with Noble this season and he definitely holds a place in our hearts with regards to his commitment to West Ham United, but it would be interesting to listen to someone who has been involved in the game for as long as Allardyce talk about how good he really thinks Noble is. The England national team is a long way off as it currently stands, but could it ever happen for Noble?

9. Have you had any disappointing transfer failings since your time at West Ham?

We’re all aware that West Ham made enquiries about Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres in January; however I think it’s fair to say that these were always cheeky, unrealistic ventures which were never expected to come off. But has there been anyone who Allardyce hasn’t managed to get who he expected to and wanted to improve our squad? El-Hadji Diouf may have been frustratingly blocked due to fan-power, but is there anyone else he has missed out on and who does he blame for the move not coming to fruition?

10. How far do you believe you can take West Ham?

Allardyce has always been confident in his own ability, previously declaring “I would be suited to Inter or Real Madrid”, so how far does he really think he can take West Ham and how long does he plan to stay? We know that he is ambitious and we saw him take Bolton into Europe, so does he see that as the aim at West Ham, and is he excited about our future under him? Could this be the job which makes him a managerial icon?

It would certainly make for an interesting chat, but it’s unlikely that we will ever know the answers to these questions whilst he remains at the helm of the club. But keep them in mind just in case you bump into the big man after a few too many one night. His answers could lead him to develop a much better connection with the West Ham faithful, or alternatively alienate him further in an already strained relationship.

Follow me on Twitter @RichMaher93

Could Liverpool be relegated? And West Ham finally announce their man

So that’s it then; the conventional managerial swap-shop has well and truly begun and whilst our primary focus is held within the grasp of the monstrous world cup, a tournament which continues to dominate the globe with it’s repetitive advertising campaigns and tyrannize our media, there is never a dull moment in terms of the premier league. Half an eye of each football supporter will still be placed firmly on their club’s prestigious competition in hope of some encouraging, exciting transfer action prior to the upcoming campaign.
Gianfranco Zola was the first victim of the endless sacking spree that the premiership now experiences. It seems like many weeks ago we considered the charming Italian a top-flight manager and witnessed him admirably handing coffee to snarling journalists outside his home. Even then it appeared inevitable that Mr. Avram Grant would be his successor and, following weeks of little action at Upton Park, the official announcement was finally made this week, with the deal still subject to a work permit. Nothing’s ever easy at West Ham United.
As a West Ham fan, I’m content but uninspired by this appointment. In reality I believe Grant will be a ‘hit or miss’ employment despite the West Ham co-owners, David Gold and David Sullivan, craving ‘stability‘. He changed little or nothing when taking over a Chelsea side which was practically complete following the expert tuition of Jose Mourinho. Although this could suggest the man doesn’t suffer from an ego issue, which could not be said about his world-class predecessor, it also displays a lack of tactical knowledge, and although taking the side to a champions league final and having a chance to win the premiership on the final day of the season is a decent achievement, I feel it would be deceitful to judge him on this. Senior players including Frank Lampard and John Terry could’ve managed that group of players alone and therefore Grant’s presence could merely have been to supervise the squad.
Taking the Portsmouth job under those financial conditions shows how desperate Grant was for a premier league job. If he really was a top manager, why didn’t he wait for a more secure opportunity? Allowing Portsmouth to slip into the realms of relegation would’ve been deemed acceptable by anyone’s standards considering the untenable circumstances, and taking the side to an FA Cup final was a real eye-catcher on Grant’s CV, but being a constant underdog placed little pressure on the manager or his players. They were able to play every game with a care-free attitude of admirable passion, if they lost, then it was to be expected, if they won, it was a shocker and an outstanding achievement. Grant had nothing to lose and his reputation could only increase during his time at Pompey, so if you did feel sorry for him in that ridiculous job, you shouldn’t, it was a blessing in disguise, and maybe Grant knew this when he took the job. It was the perfect stepping stone to a solid premiership club.
And now we infernally refer to the man as ‘experienced’ - quite incredible for someone with two premiership seasons to his name. I hope he proves me wrong and has been the mastermind he’s perceived as by the outsider, but I certainly don’t consider this a perfect appointment. Another manager to have parted company with his club is Senor Rafa Benitez. After accepting a pay-off from the infamous Hicks and Gillette duo the scousers are now looking for a new man with Martin O’Neill and Roy Hodgson top of the list after Guus Hiddink effectively ruled himself out.
Benietez name is still thrown around with that of genuine quality and top European clubs including Juventus are perpetually chasing his signature, personally I don’t understand why. Yes he won the champions league in his first year which was a fantastic achievement but if he had done poorly that year it would’ve been blamed on the fact it was still Gerard Houllier’s team so to be totally sure on Benietez’s quality, perhaps we should assess it on the following years. Rafa was 3rd in the net spending list over the years, “this is a fact” (his words, not mine) and he still manages to have an unbalanced squad incapable of fulfilling their potential at this point. Liverpool should certainly have taken part in a title race competition last season and yet they scraped into the Europa League. An unthinkable plight for a club who has spent that much on transfers, with such great heritage and a supposedly ’world-class’ manager.
The sickly exit of Benietez was dignified and the supportive nature of the Anfield fans mean they will reminisce his reign fondly. The sentimental inclusion of, "Thank you so much once more and always remember: You'll never walk alone" was extremely cheesy but then the eternal love affairs involved in this club and it’s fans always tend to be.
Worrying signs of Kenny Dalglish returning to the club on a permanent basis loom. The club will continue to drop if it takes the Newcastle United approach of forcing decisions themselves and making sure it’s a manager who “knows the club”, honourable actions with the club at heart which saw them, oh; relegated. It’s unthinkable right now but so was a 7th place finish in the previous year - the prospect of trophies with Mourinho and Real Madrid must be a tempting offer for Steven Gerrard and I’m sure Fernando Torres has one eye on linking up with his national strike partner, David Villa at Barcelona.
So my advice to Liverpool fans would be; don’t be tempted to take the decisions of the club upon yourself, this worrying period for a great club with immense history and heritage means that all decisions need to be made firmly with the head and not with the heart. A theory which will probably, and must be taken on by all clubs in this financial climate and one that threatens to ruin the romance of the game, but for now, it’s for the best.