The Audition

Is Jose Mourinho about to give the defining audition and land Sir Alex Ferguson's job at Old Trafford?

For Manchester United supporters finding the correct successor to Sir Alex Ferguson will be akin to replacing Santa Claus. Ferguson's grand reign has surely reached its twilight years, meaning whoever is now impressing across Europe must be on the radar of the United hierarchy.

When the day does finally dawn and Ferguson retires to dote on the grandkids, enjoy his fine wines and keep the neighbours awake nights on end as he tinkers for perfection on his piano, United's short list will feature the cream of world football. However there is one who has already been handed a head start with the audition pencilled in before the great man has even vacated the stage.

On February 24th 2009 Manchester United and Inter Milan clash in the Champions league knock out stages. On the touchline Sir Alex will face a man whose record against him is staggering considering his overall record over other competitors. With FC Porto and Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has lost only once against Ferguson.

This a backs to the wall 1-0 victory for United at Old Trafford, when the home side found themselves under siege as Mourinho's side launched an all-out second half assault. It was a day in Manchester that Chelsea proved themselves worthy champions.

As Mourinho threw on forwards in a desperate attempt to grab an equaliser many United fans saw similarities with their own manager. Only last ditch defending and sheer luck saw the home side prevail. Come the final whistle and the stadium erupted in relief. Suddenly the penny dropped that this Portuguese loud mouth, though beaten was the real deal.

Remarkably considering both men's explosive nature they appear to share a decent relationship. During their Premierships tussles it was only when Ferguson stood on the verge of wrestling the title back from Chelsea that Mourinho started to shoot bullets which the Scot duly fired back. Though when battle ceased Jose was quick to congratulate the Old Trafford club.

A modicum of revenge came in the FA Cup final when Mourinho's ultra-cautious tactics ensured United's attacking play stagnated, thus boring the watching world to tears. With Ferguson unable to inspire his team to further heights after a shattering season, a contest seemingly destined for penalties was settled deep in extra time when Drogba struck to send the cup to Stamford Bridge.

It was but a short-lived respite for Mourinho as his running feuds with Chelsea's Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich and his puppet on-a string-mouthpiece Peter Kenyon simmered dangerously throughout that summer. His enjoyable but ultimately suicidal refusal to be silence finally proving Mourinho's undoing

The appointment of Abramovich's 'close friend' Avram Grant as Director of Football meant the 'Special One's' days were all but over. A day of execution was at hand and when the knives were thrust it is alleged he was stabbed from within, most fatally by supposed loyal Captain John Terry. A falling out with Terry over an injury proving sufficient reason for him to betray his manager.

So now Jose Mourinho resides in Milan, his apparent inabilty to resist picking a fight against enemies both real and unimagined still plain to all. Mourinho's first season in Serie A has been littered with spectacular fall-outs with players, managers and Presidents across Italy.

A recent tongue lashing of Claudio Ranieri after some ill judged advice from the Juve coach went as follows: 'I studied Italian five hours a day for many months to ensure I could communicate with the players, media and fans. Ranieri had been in England for five years and still struggled to say 'good morning' and 'good afternoon.' Who is he to tell me what to do'?

By far the most eye-catching came after Inter's narrow 2-1 victory against Catania in the San Siro. It was a game when the Milanese should have won by a hatful and an obviously frustrated Jose let fly in the post match press conference by claiming:

'the right result should have been 3-1, 4-1 or 5-1 to us. I heard Walter Zenga (Catania's coach) talk during the week and he seemed like he wanted to come here to win, but then he didn't'. Going on to complain about Catania's play-acting: 'I thought their player was dead with all that rolling around, but he managed to recover and play in the second half'.

An infuriated Catania Sporting Director Petro Lo Monaco hit back in fine style:
'To be honest I think the 'Special One' needs a smack in the mouth'!

Like a red flag to a bull Mourinho came out flying! 'Who is Lo Monaco'? he said.
'I know of the Principality of Monaco, Bayern Munich and the Monaco Grand Prix, but that's all. If this Lo Monaco wants to make a name for himself by talking about me then he should pay me'.

Despite six points clear all is not well. Growing extremely weary of the bad press Inter President Massimo Moratti has reportedly took Mourinho aside telling him in no uncertain terms to curtail the baiting and cat-fights and concentrate on retaining the Serie A title for a fourth successive season. And most importantly winning the European cup.

After sixteen years of underachievement on the domestic front, Inter Milan now rule the roost. Their long frustrating period of being a laughing stock over, now it is their supporters who joke about the cheats of Juve and old men of AC Milan. With their rivals firmly put in place Europe now dominates Nerazzurri thoughts.

This has become Inter's and more significantly Moratti's obsession. It is increasingly obvious Jose Mourinho's reputation as the 'Special One' has to be justified by delivering the European Cup. For this to be achieved Mourinho must once more attempt to outmanoeuvre Sir Alex Ferguson and eliminate holders Manchester United.

At Old Trafford Mourinho's name is being whispered ever more so as a possible heir to the throne. Leaks from the dressing room and above hint of the Portuguese coach already established as number one on United's list. Although whether this subject is raised in earshot of Sir Alex Ferguson remains extremely doubtful.

For make no mistake when the correct time comes Ferguson will be the kingmaker in deciding who follows. The idea of abdication can surely only be made feasible when your successor is viewed as worthy. Ferguson's disciples, Steve Bruce, Mark Hughes and Alex McLeish amongst many others litter the English game but none yet have shown enough stature or technical awareness to be considered.

After an impressive start Roy Keane threw in the towel at Sunderland and Paul Ince was sacked after finding himself helplessly out of his depth at Blackburn. Elsewhere Celtic's Gordon Strachan will never be high on Ferguson's Christmas card list. Whilst his former assistant Carlos Queiroz is currently struggling badly as Portugal national coach.

Despite enjoying thrilling success in winning a European Cup and two Premiership titles Queiroz's decision to abandon Ferguson's side not once but twice is hardly likely to endear him to his former master. And so we turn to Jose Mourinho, an outsider maybe to the Old Trafford cause, but one who would immediately be respected by the players, accepted by fans, but most importantly deemed acceptable to Ferguson.

The mind games have already begun ahead of February's showdown with Mourinho claiming his madly frustrating, though brilliant centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a better player than Cristiano Ronaldo? Mourinho has worked his magic on Ibrahimovic as he did with Didier Drogba by getting inside their heads and dragging from them much needed consistency to go with their world class ability.

But superior to the Portuguese winger? We still await Sir Alex Ferguson's reply for it is early as he keeps his power dry!

Whether Inter possess enough to withstand Manchester United's superior power and pace in attack depends whether Mourinho can somehow wrestle final epitaphs off his more senior professionals such as Patrick Viera. Doubtful, but then he is the 'Special One' and has broken United hearts before. Who will forget his legendary race down the Old Trafford touchline celebrating Porto's last ,gasp goal that knocked United out.

Jose Mourinho's tactical prowess and larger than life persona are suited perfectly for the world empire that is now Manchester United football club. Recently crowned World club champions in Tokyo Sir Alex Ferguson has led the club to undreamed heights of glory. Soon Father Time must whisper in his ear, a gentle but firm reminder that nothing goes on forever.

Then again how long has Santa Claus been around?

Merry Christmas!

John ludden
cfieldsoffire@aol.com