The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

PSG: Rigor, nothing to lose, Campos-compatible... Why Paris must pounce on Mourinho

2023-05-18T06:09:45.524Z

Highlights: Jose Mourinho is under contract until 2024 on the bench of AS Roma, where he officiates since 2021. The 60-year-old Portuguese technician is known for his character, his ability to federate a locker room while not being afraid to bang his fist on the table. The double winner of the Champions League has no more his tongue in his pocket in front of his players than his bosses. With Mourinho, discipline would not be an empty word on the side of the Camp des Loges. It wouldn't hurt some!


DECRYPTION – At the crossroads at the end of a cahin-caha season, Paris-SG must ask itself the right questions. Portuguese is an answer.


Barring a huge surprise, Christophe Galtier will no longer be the coach of PSG next season. It remains to be seen who will succeed him... and who will make the final decision, Doha or Luis Campos. Here and there, we talk about Julian Nagelsmann, Thiago Motta or Marcelo Gallardo, not to mention Max Allegri. One name, however, has something to excite a little more the Parisian fans, Jose Mourinho, under contract until 2024 on the bench of AS Roma, where he officiates since 2021 and with whom he is preparing to play the semi-final return of the Europa League, this Thursday, against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0 victory in the first leg). Admittedly, the greatest exploits of the "Special One" are beginning to date, it represents an "old-fashioned" football and does not stick to the idea that Qataris have of football-spectacle. In addition, we know that he often leaves his locker room to fire and blood after two years ...

But the important thing is elsewhere as the hour is serious in Paris, even if the coronation is close in L1. So much so that Mourinho has everything to succeed, perhaps even more than Zinedine Zidane, the dream of Doha. Moreover, the former leader of the Blues has already dismissed the Red and Blue in the recent past. Also solicited by PSG at the beginning of the Qatari era, in 2011 and 2013, the Portuguese would now be "interested" in the challenge according to some sources. Good pickaxe?

Rigor, discipline and character

With Galtier, we were going to see what we were going to see, finished the passes, finished the republic of the players. Words, nothing but words... The native of Marseille was sentenced like his predecessors. With Mourinho, everything suggests that it would not be the same lemonade. Beyond an oversized ego and an outspokenness that would be all the rage in press conferences, the 60-year-old Portuguese technician is known for his character, his ability to federate a locker room while not being afraid to bang his fist on the table. Remember the clash with Paul Pogba, whom "Mou" had not hesitated to relegate to the bench when he was the number 1 asset of Manchester United... One example among others. With him, discipline would not be an empty word on the side of the Camp des Loges. It wouldn't hurt some!

Here in 2015, during a duel between PSG and "his" Chelsea, Mourinho may soon be at home at the Parc des Princes. JB AutissierJB Autissier / Panoramic

Obviously, it would be an illusion to believe that Mourinho could, single-handedly, change the landscape and culture in Paris. It would require an awareness among the leaders. And precisely, the double winner of the Champions League has no more his tongue in his pocket in front of his players than his bosses. Example? Jose Mourinho likes to tell how he imposed the unknown Didier Drogba on Roman Abramovich, while Chelsea could afford any striker. "Mr. Abramovich, pay and don't say anything," he reportedly told his former president. One can imagine the head of Nasser Al-Khelaïfi or the Emir of Qatar in the face of such verve... Still, with his status, his CV and therefore his character, Mourinho would have more chance to exist against the shady Parisian decision-makers.

Winning machine

Whether you like his style, his personality, his escapades, his vitriolic statements or not, Jose Mourinho is a coach who wins, that's undeniable. From Porto to Roma, Chelsea, Inter, Real and Manchester United, leagues in shambles, national cups and of course, European trophies. Starting with the C1, with Porto (2004) and Inter (2010). The latest? The Conference Europa League with Roma (2022), the first title of the club of La Louve since... Serie A in 2001. It is only with Tottenham that Mourinho has not grown his CV. To his credit, Spurs have only lifted one trophy in the 21st century, a League Cup, in 2008... In short, the Mourinho method still works. It's not necessarily pretty, but it's effective. And the interested party has not coached a team of the size of that of PSG for a long time, without offending the Red Devils, Spurs and Giallorossi.

See alsoZidane, Nagelsmann, Mourinho... These coaches who will shake up the summer transfer window

Nothing to prove, nothing to lose

As has been said, Jose Mourinho has one of the most impressive CVs on the world circuit. A legend. The experience of the very high level, he has it. That of the difficult locker rooms too. The native of Setubal has absolutely nothing left to prove. Whatever happens, he will be remembered as one of the best coaches in history. And he would have nothing to lose on the banks of the Seine. A bit like when Carlo Ancelotti returned to the bench of Real after experiences at Everton and Napoli, when many imagined him "has been", overwhelmed, rinsed. Ancelotti and Mourinho, same fight?

Francophone

No worries of adaptation in sight for Jose Mourinho, who perfectly masters the language of Molière. Gifted in languages, the client of the agent Jorge Mendes also speaks Portuguese, his mother tongue, but also English, Spanish and Italian. Perfect to exchange in a dressing room as international as that of PSG. Moreover, Mourinho knows Ligue 1, and he readily admits that he would see himself there. "I can imagine that. I have worked in four countries. I like that, knowing other cultures, learning. Working in another league would be a fantastic experience," he said in 2019, on beIN SPORTS, on the sidelines of a Losc match.

Here in Lille, in 2019, Luis Campos and Jose Mourinho are no strangers... Gwendoline Le Goff / Panoramic

Campos-compatible

If he was present in the North in 2019, it is because Jose Mourinho had been invited by a certain Luis Campos. The two men have known each other for an eternity. And they like each other. "We are friends, we worked together at Real Madrid. I know him very well," he said, still in Lille. Mourinho had also taken the opportunity to evoke his "good relationship with Christophe (Galtier, coach of Losc at the time). I knew him at Manchester Utd-Saint Etienne in the Europa League." Perhaps he will have the opportunity to succeed "Galette".

" READ ALSO Mourinho ironically on the rumor PSG: "if they are looking for me, they have not found me"

One thing is certain: Campos has never hidden that he would like to work with his compatriot again. "Jose is an incredible leader and his level of demand for himself and his team is simply incredible. He's a legend of our sport," he said in 2021, in an interview with The Telegraph. He added, on the subject of a potential reunion with the said Luis Campos: "I am always looking to work with the best professionals in the world and Jose is part of this very select group in the football industry. If it ever happens, it will happen naturally." Is it time?

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2023-05-18

You may like

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.