Which club will Jose choose?

Posted Saturday, March 12, 2011 by The Sun

Which club will Jose choose?
BACK FOR MOUR ... Mourinho will spark a bidding war on his return to the Premier League

ROMAN ABRAMOVICH had better swallow his pride and pick up the phone if he wants Jose Mourinho back as Chelsea boss this summer.

And the Blues' billionaire Russian owner had better be quick about it too.

Otherwise Abramovich runs the risk of seeing the Special One plundering silverware at one of Chelsea's Premier League rivals instead.

Like Manchester United, megabucks Manchester City, Liverpool or, worst of all, just across the capital at Tottenham Hotspur.

For Mourinho is intent on returning to the Premier League next season and would be keen on doing a deal with any of these leading contenders for his signature.

Certainly, his former club Chelsea and City will lead the race.

And last season's Double winners will be most people's favourites to succeed as Mourinho still loves the club where he won six trophies in three years, including two league titles, before being sacked in September 2007.

Current Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti has had a difficult season and the Blues currently languish nine points off the pace in the league.

As a result, there is widespread speculation that the Italian will be leaving in the summer.

And there are just as many rumours and whispers among the Chelsea players and their agents that Mourinho has already agreed to return.

But that is NOT true. Mourinho has not spoken with Chelsea about going back - or any other club for that matter - and will say so publicly if anyone dares to suggest otherwise.

But what he could never deny is his yearning for the passion and excitement of English football and his determination to come back soon.

Three years away, first with Inter Milan and now Real Madrid, has convinced him that England is truly his spiritual football home.

And it is not just unfinished business at Chelsea - the Champions League trophy was the only one to elude him at the Bridge - that would attract him back here.

If United came knocking, Mourinho would answer. But heaven knows whether current Old Trafford boss Alex Ferguson, 69, is ready to call it a day.

However, going head to head with his great friend Fergie in the same city could be a powerful draw.

Mourinho would love that, although even he would stop short of saying he could make City bigger than 18-time league champions United.

However, that candid admission would not deter City's mega-rich owner Sheikh Mansour from breaking the bank to get his man.

And Mansour is one of the very few who could dwarf even Abramovich if it comes to a bidding war.

City's supremo is a huge fan of the two-time Champions League-winning coach and he would willingly sanction a 'money is no object' move for Mourinho.

For Eastlands boss Roberto Mancini is under pressure after City's £300m investment in star players has so far failed to yield any success.

Yes, they are third in the Premier League - albeit seven points behind neighbours and league leaders United.

They are also in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup - they play Everton's conquerors Reading tomorrow - and are still chasing silverware in the Europa League, although they lost 2-0 away to Dinamo Kiev on Thursday.

But City's ambitions are bigger than that and Mancini knows it.

And he will be well aware of the danger of Mourinho who, remember, replaced him at the San Siro in 2008 - and went on to win the treble with Inter last season.

Liverpool would also appeal to Mourinho, who would love to re-awaken the once invincible Anfield outfit.

Kop hero Kenny Dalglish is in temporary charge of the Reds until the end of the season and has steadied the ship after the departure of flop Roy Hodgson.

But, despite wins over Chelsea and Manchester United, there have also been defeats to Blackpool, West Ham and most recently Braga in the Europa League - plus a home draw with rock-bottom Wigan.

And although Dalglish is a legend at the club, the thought of Mourinho on Merseyside could be too much for Liverpool's American owners to resist.

Especially given the Special One's former right-hand man at Chelsea, Steve Clarke, is already at Anfield.

Tottenham would be the surprise candidates.

Harry Redknapp has enjoyed great success at White Hart Lane, taking Spurs to the last eight in the Champions League with wins over Inter and AC Milan.

But Redknapp has a huge court case coming up in the summer which could prove a major distraction for him and the North London club - along with their preparations for next season.

He has also made no secret of the fact he wants to succeed Fabio Capello as England boss next year.

So Spurs chief Daniel Levy could be tempted to go for Mourinho in a bid to take the club to the next level.

And, knowing Mourinho, he would believe he is the one who can make Spurs champions again - for the first time since 1961.

Now how would that make you feel, Abramovich?

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