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As Mourinho seeks a move to England, what club needs him the most?

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Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City have faltered as a result of what many deem to be ‘negative’ tactics. Though I have no doubt that City can afford to attract a manager of Mourinho’s calibre and that Mourinho would be able to handle all the egos in City’s changing room, isn’t it time that City seek out a manager better renowned for their attacking prowess than for being well organised? If I was in charge of City’s finances I’d be keeping a close eye on Josep Guardiola who has already achieved just about everything it’s possible to with Barcelona. Pep’s attacking philosophy and the sheer amount of quality available in the City squad ought to make for an excellent mix.

Liverpool and Spurs are both interesting cases. They are two clubs in the process of building towards success in the future (though, granted Spurs are making great waves in the Champion’s League already this season). Would Mourinho be willing to take charge of a club that may require years of work to get to a stage where silverware is acquirable at the level he is accustomed to? When Mourinho returns to the Premier League, I have a feeling it will be to an established top-four side – which, granted one of Spurs or Liverpool could be in a couple of season’s time, though I think that’s a variable too many to consider.

That leaves Arsenal and Manchester United. Two clubs that have tussled at the top of English football for quite some time (although United have had the greater success over the last half-decade) and two clubs with highly revered managers, only likely to be disposed of when they decide to enter retirement. Given that Mourinho’s move back to England is unlikely to be immediate (he will desire some kind of success at Real Madrid – which might not happen this season) there’s every chance that by the time that Mourinho is ready to return, either Arsene Wenger or Sir Alex Ferguson will be ready to make way at their respective clubs. However you want to look at it, they’ll have to move on eventually and Mourinho still has many years left ahead of him to manage.

Whilst I think Mourinho’s managerial style and Manchester United’s general footballing ethos would mesh well together, it’s Arsenal who I think could most use Mourinho’s tactical and team-building nous. Arsene Wenger is a fantastic manager who has done an incredible amount of good for Arsenal, but for the club to attempt to find another manager in Wenger’s image once he leaves, would be a big mistake. There are weaknesses within the Arsenal squad that Jose Mourinho could iron out. Although Arsenal may lose some of their attacking prowess with Mourinho at the helm, the expense would be well met with an increased level of organisation and defensive ability that could provide Arsenal with the backbone many pundits claim the Gunners lack when under pressure.

Whilst the idea of Arsenal and Jose Mourinho being bedfellows may leave some Arsenal fans uncomfortable, I do believe that it’s a partnership with potential. Two-three years down the line and Arsenal may well be on the hunt for a new manager to lead them to further success. The possibility that Mourinho presents, is, at the very least, worthy of consideration.

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  • blahblah says:

    By all accounts Roman Abramovich and Jose Mourinho get on well. The Russian owner even bought a limited edition Ferrari after Jose left Chelsea.

    Can’t see him at Manchester City – expensive joke and may not qualify for Champions League football.

    Jose is in his own words still ‘in love’ with Chelsea and wouldn’t wish to ruin his relationship with the Chelsea fans, so that effectively rules out City, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool completely, especially as he said he’d not manage a rival of a former club.

    Manchester United is the only English club he’d go to apart from Chelsea, in my opinion, which rules out City again as any job there would basically end any chance of that happening.

    He won’t wait too long. His relationship with Valdano is fractious, not his relationship with Abramovich.

    Arnesen, who was his enemy at Chelsea is going, Grant is no longer around, Ancelotti is destined for Roma, Abramovich doesn’t fancy the likes of Rijkaard etc and Mourinho still owns his house in London – make what you will of that.

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