City is a perfect fit for Mourinho

Posted Tuesday, March 15, 2011 by The Sun

City is a perfect fit for Mourinho THE Premier League could welcome back one of its greatest stars this summer.

And I'd be absolutely delighted.

It's been more than three years since Jose Mourinho left Chelsea and, since that day, English football has been all the poorer.

If Real Madrid get booted out of the Champions League by Lyon tomorrow, he could be available even sooner.

Throughout his time at Inter Milan and even this past season, Mourinho has always been honest and admitted that he expected a return to the Premier League.

This is his spiritual home. And it would not surprise me if some clubs are already putting out the feelers to try and tempt him.

Mourinho is Hollywood. A real superstar. A guy with proper X factor - he could even do Simon Cowell's job!

Yet his face would not fit everywhere. Manchester United, for example, might not suit him. Alex Ferguson is a different type of person and I just could not see Mourinho being a success there.

I would say Pep Guardiola would be more suited to the job at Old Trafford yet, whoever succeeds Fergie, it will pretty much a thankless task.

I am convinced that one day, though, Gary Neville will be Manchester United boss. I'm sure he will also be a very successful one.

Mourinho going to Arsenal would not happen. There are too many stuck-up people at the Emirates who would not want him.

They love 'the Arsenal way', which is fair enough, and Mourinho would not be the right type of person.

This is a man, don't forget, who celebrates goals by running up and down the touchline and was once smuggled into a dressing room in a laundry basket. That certainly is not the Arsenal way.

Equally, though, I am sure one or two Arsenal fans would love Mourinho because, once again, it looks as though my old club could end up with nothing.

The defeat to United was a big shame yet predictable. I have been saying in this column for weeks that they have the potential to win trophies but there is still a lack of strength in depth.

Equally, Mourinho would want to be at a club where he can spend millions. And Arsenal is not one of those.

I'm not sure about Liverpool. The fans would either absolutely love him or totally hate him. It would be a gamble. I think his swagger would rub some of the locals up the wrong way. If he did not deliver instant success at Anfield, he would probably end up being in trouble.

Mourinho would actually suit Spurs but there is no way he is going there this summer.

Harry Redknapp is too safe in his job. Equally, I'm not sure whether chairman Daniel Levy would be prepared to spend big, something Jose requires.

I'm not trying to do my old mate Alan Pardew out of a job he's started very well, but Newcastle is the sort of club where Mourinho would also be loved.

Mourinho was - and still is - adored by Chelsea fans. They would certainly have him back like a shot.

Owner Roman Abramovich clearly regrets his decision to part with Mourinho. He must sometimes be thinking, 'We'd have won the Champions League at least once if Jose was still here' - especially after the incredible job he did unexpectedly winning the Champions League with Inter last season.

Some people say that Abramovich and Mourinho no longer get on but I don't think that is any longer the case. I hear they enjoy a decent relationship so there is always a strong possibility Mourinho could return to Stamford Bridge.

He loved it there after all - and it would not surprise me if we saw Mourinho in the dugout at Chelsea next season.

So yes, I think he could soon be wearing a blue and white scarf - but rather than Chelsea, I reckon it could be a Manchester City one.

Mourinho managing City would fit like a glove - it's an absolutely perfect move for him.

I think it is inevitable they will make an offer for him. It makes no difference what Roberto Mancini does until the end of the season if Mourinho becomes available.

The club's owners, who have money to burn, will not be content with being in the running for trophies. They will not even be satisfied with winning the odd piece of silverware. No, the men behind City are plotting world domination and Mourinho is, without doubt, the main man.

He really is the Special One. He would deliver trophies - but also with a bit of a swagger.

That's why both the owners and City's fans would love him. With Mourinho at the helm with millions to spend, I genuinely believe that City would not just become a force in English football - but in Europe.