The ‘Special One’ not so special after all

kwame

January 5, 2016 11:30 AM

Jose Mourinho's speciality that made him the 'Special One' might not hold anymore as manager starts getting the snub from big clubs, Kwame Boakye writes

For a moment the Special One was made to feel special again. Even at the lowest point of his managerial career. Sacked by Chelsea after an abysmal run of results from the English Premier League Champions, Jose Mourinho was still on top.

Louis van Gaal trembled at the mention of his name and rightly so. The Manchester United boss who wasn’t having some great moment at Old Trafford with a run of winless games was questioned on losing his job as the slightest of opportunities. And why? Jose Mourinho was available.

The Portugal international was out of job, sacked to be precise but felt on top of football management world.

A reported second stint at Real Madrid spread like wild fire in the media. But after Rafael Benitez was actually sacked on Monday, circumstances changed and Jose Mourinho and his team could be hitting panic mode soon.

Real Madrid president Fiorentino Perez has taken a bold step to hand club legend Zinedine Zidane his first big management job with the France international taking over first team duties.

Louis van Gaal at Manchester United may be a dead man walking, but Old Trafford sources indicate Manchester United could go the Real Madrid way and appoint their most decorated player Ryan Giggs as the next boss when Van Gaal finally departs.

So where does that leave Jose Mourinho?

Club boards adore Jose Mourinho for his success. His records speak for themselves. But the manager comes with too much baggage.

The former Inter Milan boss’ desire to win all cost is not something ‘big clubs’ relish in modern football. Success must be achieved without breaking too many rules.

Jose Mourniho revealed he was ready to get back to the touchline after he departed Chelsea. That declaration in no way means we are going to see the 52-year-old coaching Jordan Ayew’s Aston Villa out of relegation.

He still thinks he is the best and deep inside wants the best jobs around. But here is the case:

Chelsea job is out. Real Madrid have shown they never wanted the Portuguese coach. Bayern Munich have appointed Carlo Ancelotti as the next boss for the German club. Manchester City seems to be a job in waiting for Pep Guardiola with Manchester United willing to take a chance on Ryan Giggs. Paris Saint Germain are doing well under Laurent Black. Jose Mourinho for Barcelona, like seriously?

Jose was a special one and incidents after he was sacked at Chelsea at the end of 2015 may have made him felt the euphoria of that hype.

The reality is that he is gradually losing that ‘special’ accolade. Football players are fragile and it takes great management skills to nurture them. The media is always on the lookout and it takes great communication skills to outsmart them.

Jose Mourinho lost those traits to cockiness of his football success. Now he is losing out. And the world is gradually seeing the ‘Special One’ was not so special after all.

Follow @kboakye92

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