Sunday, 5 May 2013

Jose Mourinho: Is the Special One set to rekindle Chelsea love affair?

This time there was to be no last-minute winner, no grass stains on that ubiquitous designer suit.
For Jose Mourinho, the final whistle at the Bernabeu on Tuesday instead prompted a warm embrace with his Borussia Dortmund counterpart Jurgen Klopp and a slow walk down the tunnel to the dressing room.Of the 185 games Mourinho was in charge of Chelsea, they won 124, drew 40 and lost 21, a record that includes a 60-match unbeaten run in home leaguematches.Thedisappointment of their Champions League exit was clear, but within minutes Mourinhowas backon the front foot and giving the strongest indication yet that he wants to return to England in general and to Stamford Bridge in particular.Every word was carefully chosen, every inference deliberate. In one answer he reminded Real of what they will lose if he, as seems very likely, decides to leave this summer.Mourinho was, after all, the man who led them to La Liga title glory last season, breaking, albeit briefly, the dominance of Barcelona.There was also a gentle nudge and a wink to long-term admirers Paris Saint-Germain, a suggestion that they had better be quick if they are going to make him an offer. But it was the reminder of that London love affair that set tongues wagging and in so doing put pressure on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to bring him home."I know in England I am loved - by the fans, by the media that treat me fairly: criticising me when I deserve it but also giving me credit where I deserve it," said the Portuguese. "I know I'm loved by some clubs, especially one. In Spain, it's a big difference - some people hate me."For some time, long before this result, it has been clear that days of the Real-Mourinho relationship are numbered.The well-documented problems with leading figures, notably club captain and talisman Iker Casillas  , in the dressing room have chipped away at his reputation within the corridors of power, but the realisation that he would not be the man to end Real's 11-year wait for the European Cup has opened the floodgates.

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