The Prodigal Son Returns..

“It’s Chelsea’s title to lose now.” This is what Jose Mourinho said when the Blues were being managed by Guss Hiddink who had taken over the affairs from Luiz Felipe Scolari who had taken over from Avram Grant who had taken over from Mourinho himself. Of course Chelsea didn’t win the title that season, but they did go on to clinch the FA Cup. But was that what they really wanted? The answer is No.

Ever since the London club was taken over in a ruthless transaction by Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich, they’ve had just one goal – to win trophies. And quite frankly Roman does not care which one. All he wants is the trophies because those are directly proportional to the moolah influx. And Mourinho was Roman’s “chosen one”. Or as Jose likes to put it, he was the “Special One”. He was specifically bought to win the Blues those elusive trophies. And that he did.

In Mourinho’s first two seasons in-charge he won four trophies, out of which the domestic league title was Chelsea’s first in 50 years. Jose led Chelsea to 64 consecutive home league matches without defeat in his four seasons at the helm; signed notable players like Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack and did everything possible to make the Russian billionaire very “happy” and “rich”.

AP Photo

However, in a move that was seen by millions as completely irrational and illogical, Chelsea and Mourinho parted ways by “mutual consent” to make way for better things. Now only people in the Abramovich clan know what conspired between Roman and Jose by the end of the Mourinho’s fourth term at Stamford Bridge when he left the club. But just like an infant without his mum, both Chelsea and Mourinho could not exist without each other.

 Chelsea tried a handful of managers and Jose tried a handful of clubs, but it was quite evident that both needed each other to co-exist.  Even though Mourinho won the Champions League with FC Porto before moving to London, the kind of buzz and aura that surrounded Stamford Bridge when the Special One was around was matched by none other.

 The bottom line was that Mourinho was not happy being away. The biggest example of that was seen by the world when Real Madrid was knocked out of the Champions League last season and Jose went on national television to say that he wants to be someplace where he will be happy and respected.  Almost immediately, just like putting the final piece of the puzzle in place, the stage was set for the Special One to make his second “homecoming” at the Bridge.

The worst kept secret in Footballing history was out on June 3rd, 2013 when Jose Mourinho was confirmed as Chelsea coach for the second time. And things immediately started to fall in place for Chelsea. Frank Lampard and John Terry reacted as if Dad was coming home. And why shouldn’t have they been happy? Their careers were literally created by the Special One. And now it was time to finish some unfinished business.

In ten seasons of club management, including an eight-month sabbatical in 2007–08, Mourinho has led his club to win its domestic league seven times, the UEFA Champions League twice and the UEFA Cup once. Since 2002, Mourinho has not gone a full calendar year without winning at least one trophy.

And now with Sir Alex Ferguson retired, Arsene Wenger vowing to never win a trophy ever again, Manchester City without a seasoned manager and Liverpool just being Liverpool, the English Premier League is practically begging Chelsea to grab it by the throat and take it away after spending an eternity at Manchester. This can indeed be Chelsea’s season as it has started by giving out vibes that promise to deliver a season like no other. It promises some thrilling action and with the deadly yet deliberant combination of Jose Mourinho and Chelsea, the Blues will surely be aiming to give their prodigal son the perfect homecoming present. Another Premier League Medal.