Win or lose the Champions League Final in Madrid was about one man and one man only. When English referee Howard Webb’s final whistle ended Inter Milan’s 45 year wait for a European Trophy the cameras focused on one man. The man on the end of everybody’s lips, not two goal hero Diego Milito or Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, it was of course the ‘special one’ Jose Mourinho. Only a UEFA Champions League final involving Jose Mourinho could make football’s biggest club competition and some of the biggest European football stars take second place.
You could say the script had already been written long before the final whistle in Madrid, victory against his be-loved Chelsea and revenge against Barcelona meant this was Mourinho’s tournament and Inter Milan completing a historic treble is just a small part of the jigsaw. On European Football’s Hollywood event you got your star performer and a little bit of everything to go with it. Supporting roles from match winner Diego Milito, the creative genius of Wesley Sneijder, entertainment value provided by Arjen Robben falling over at every opportunity and the emotional moment when 36 year old Javier Zanetti lifted the trophy for the first time earning himself the life time achievement award for his services to Inter Milan.
Mourinho’s reaction at the final whistle was nothing but joy, but the emotional wave’s goodbye to the Inter Milan fans told the biggest story. The biggest known secret in football became reality; this was Mourinho’s final act as Inter Milan coach. Massimo Moratti hired Jose to win the Champions League at any cost and after two seasons the mission is complete. Joining an elite club of managers who have won the biggest club prize twice with two different clubs Mourinho’s mission is clear. "I want to become the first coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs," said Mourinho. "My work here is done. I have made history with this club."
It is just a matter of time until Mourinho is confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager taking his place on the touch-line of The Bernabeu and using the famous line of ‘I’m European Champion’ in his first press-conference. Well at least next season there will be one more European Champion representing the colours of Real Madrid next season. Mourinho will join Spanish internationals Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol and Xabi Alonso as the only European Champions (who have the possibility of also being World Champions) and who knows; maybe some of his ‘current’ Inter Milan team may join him.
Mourinho may be a two time Champions League winning manager, won back-to-back Premierships in England and famously making his name by running down the touch-line of Old Trafford shocking Manchester United on his way to Champions League glory with Porto; but now he faces his two biggest challenges. The best have walked in to Real Madrid, been successful and quickly walked out again, Mourinho must deliver trophies in Madrid but he must do it the Real Madrid way; with attractive free-flowing football and winning in style. Mourinho and his well disciplined Inter side may have stopped Messi twice this season but the Madrid faithful will not stand for 10 players behind the ball closing down space; they have their way and just because Mourinho is the best this do not mean he is immune to the handkerchiefs being waved in disapproval.
This is an achievement ‘current’ Real Madrid manager Manuel Pellegrini will agree it is easier said than done with competition coming from Catalan giants Barcelona who have just splashed out £35.4 million pounds (€40 million Euros) on Spanish star David Villa joining Xavi, Carlos Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and of course the magical Lionel Messi in possibly the greatest European side ever made hungry to win back their title as European Champions. That is Mourinho’s biggest challenges; can Mourinho stop Messi and co? & more importantly can he do it the Real Madrid way?
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Written by Andrew Leese
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