It’s something that has been gently and quietly whispered amongst some fans of Chelsea FC, mooted by those who are interested in a wider debate and pondered amongst the few who question but do not dare to appear publicly treacherous or mutinous: Can Jose Mourinho coach a team to be “beautiful”?
This six-part series will examine Jose Mourinho’s history as one of the most successful coaches of the modern era; intertwine, analyse and chart the Chelsea revolution under owner Roman Abramovich; and explore the answer to the question: Can Jose Mourinho coach a team to be beautiful?
Part I
Mourinho and the Roman Revolution
There are a few great stories that explain why Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich took such a keen interest in football.
One such story is that he went to a Champions League tie at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Real Madrid in 2003, bizarrely being driven there by Graeme Souness and decided within ten minutes that he wanted to buy a football club.
One favourite tale shared amongst Chelsea fans is that, after buying the club from Ken Bates in 2003, legend has it Mr Abramovich was flying over London in a helicopter. He noted a big expanse of green land in the centre of the capital. Knowing Chelsea would likely need a new stadium and training complex in the future, he wondered what it was, who owned it and how much it would cost. “Hyde Park, the Queen, and it’s not for sale,” came the reply.
How much of this is actually true only adds to the mystique of the man who is very private, despite his profile as owner of one of world’s biggest football clubs. One thing is clear; he fell in love with football. The beauty of the spectacle, the passion of the fans and the atmosphere of the Champions League all led to his desire to own a sports team and for it to be the best.
When dispensing with ‘Tinkerman’ Claudio Ranieri for the services of Portuguese maverick Jose Mourinho in 2004, it signalled his intent to make Chelsea a player on the big stage and for them to be winners. Investment was made in the team and the arrival of Didier Drogba, Petr Cech and Arjen Robben alongside FC Porto stalwarts Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreria saw a shift in mentality.
Chelsea went on to win the league in a record breaking season. In 2004-05, Chelsea broke six all-time English national records:
- Fewest goals conceded in a League season – 15 in 38 matches, Premier League, 2004–05
- Fewest goals conceded away in a League season – 9 in 19 matches, Premier League, 2004–05
- Most points in a Premier League season – 95, Premier League, 2004–05
- Most wins in a season (38 games): – 29, Premier League, 2004–05
- Most away wins in a season (19 games): – 15, Premier League, 2004–05
- Most clean sheets in a season: – 24, Premier League, 2004–05
However, all this achievement and greatness came with criticism. In some quarters Chelsea were called boring. Their 4-3-3 system, still quite revolutionary given most of the Premier League were still playing with a version of 4-4-2, was viewed as being a negative tactical approach. Playing with one striker — this predominantly being the recently acquired Ivorian powerhouse Drogba ahead of the previous incumbent, Chelsea hero Eidur Gudjohnsen — demonstrated that Jose preferred his team built on a solid base rather than winning through an exciting brand of attacking football.
In Mourinho’s subsequent seasons more trophies followed, but the stigma of Chelsea being a powerful and authoritative team, using strength over beauty, was something that stuck.
Following his shock departure from Chelsea in September 2007, Mourinho joined Italian giants Internazionale.
Again there were trophies and a first ever treble by an Italian club, with Inter Milan winning the Serie A title, Coppa Italia and UEFA Champions League, beating Louis Van Gaals’ Bayern Munich in the final. However, the ultra-defensive approach to winning the Champions League, whilst admired for its practicality, was also seen as being anti-football. The 0-1 defeat at the Camp Nou in the semi-final second leg was a true example of Italian Catenaccio (Catenaccio meaning “door-bolt”, thus implying a highly organised defensive approach to prevent goals).
This was Mourinho being practical to win and choosing substance over style.
In Part II: A look at post-Mourinho Chelsea and how they coped minus the Special One
