This isn’t something Jose Mourinho would merely like to do; rather, it’s something he would “really, really like” to do, the Chelsea coach told reporters on Tuesday: that is, become coach of Real Madrid. Later, of course, he added the obligatory comment, “I would like to go to Madrid when my work at Chelsea is done. I have a contract with them [Chelsea] until 2010 and I like working in England.”
Right. There is almost no chance Fabio Capello will remain Real coach beyond this season-even if the Merengues somehow manage to bring home the La Liga title. The players and fans simply do not like him, and the club has with enthusiasim fired coaches who bring home titles but fail to impress on the field. It’s also shown relentlessness in pursuing the personalities it wants, like Mourinho, and a willingness to spend vast sums to bring them over.
The Chelsea manager’s comments come fresh from a brave coaching performance that may have saved Chelsea’s FA Cup bid. They will no doubt be received as a slap in the face to club owner Roman Abramovich who is said to be not speaking with his Portuguese manager. Nevertheless, Mourinho maintains he has no interest in leaving: “I have a contract with Chelsea. I want to stay at Chelsea, I am in love with Chelsea, I am in love with English football.”