What next for Jose Mourinho?

Spanish Football / Hannah Duncan / 25 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Best of enemies. Jose Mourinho has almost always come second best to Pep Guardiola.

"His departure could be very conveniently timed with that of Fabio Capello from the England role, a job Mourinho has been linked with since his tenure at Stamford Bridge."

Jose Mourinho's time at the Bernabeu may soon be up as a result of fan dissatisfaction, rumours of unrest amongst senior Spanish players and a continued inability to beat Barcelona. What next for the Special One, asks Hannah Duncan.

The man everyone loves to hate, Jose Mourinho, has made the not-so-shocking revelation that he may not still be in charge at Real Madrid come next season.

Despite Madrid topping La Liga with five points separating them and defending champions Barcelona, the self-proclaimed 'Special One' has endured more than his fair share of controversy during his time at the Bernabeu since his arrival from Inter Milan in May 2010.

Six months after taking the reins at Madrid, Mourinho received a two-match Champions League ban and a fine, which amounted to little more than loose change, after appearing to instruct Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos to receive deliberate bookings. Then last August, the former Chelsea manager was involved in 'eye-gouge-gate', when he appeared to poke his finger into the eye of Barcelona assistant manager Tito Vilanova during an El Clasico match.

The latest rumours are of an increasing rift growing between Jose and the Spanish players in the Bernabeu dressing room, with the Spanish press leaking news of a row between himself and vice-captain Sergio Ramos, as well as reports of another argument with captain Iker Casillas.

But despite his side being 'humiliated' by their Spanish rivals with a 5-0 drubbing in Mourinho's first El Clasico in November 2010, whisper it quietly, but it looks as though the roles are being reversed at the top of La Liga. Despite losing 3-1 to their nearest and dearest in December, Madrid are [1.65] favourites on Betfair to claim back the title they haven't won since 2007/08. Although, Mourinho's side are only second favourites at [4.2] to lift the Champions League, behind who else - but Barcelona. One step at a time!

But if The Special One were to depart the Bernabeu in the summer as reports suggest, what next for the Portugeezer?

His departure could be very conveniently timed with that of Fabio Capello from the England role, a job Mourinho has been linked with since his tenure at Stamford Bridge. And if 'Appy 'Arry's tax evasion trial were to take a turn for the worse, the FA could be forced to look elsewhere for Capello's replacement.

Alternatively, Mourinho could have his eye a bit further north than FA headquarters as he waits in the wings for Sir Alex Ferguson to retire (aren't we all...). Jose is currently [4.2] favourite with Betfair to take the helm at Manchester United when Fergie finally hangs up his chewing gum, though it's anyone's guess how long he'll be waiting for that day to arrive. Wrigley's will be devastated.

But back to the Bernabeu and despite all the controversy and negative press that follows Mourinho around like a bad smell, he's certainly built a side capable of presenting some form of challenge to the Guardiola bulldozer.Both players he's brought into the club, such as Mesut Ozil, and those he's inherited, such as Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, have combined to make Madrid a global force once again. And as the first manager to do that in several years, surely fans of Spanish and European football should be glad of his involvement and influence.