Who needs Mourinho?

English football did. It's tempting to write something saying that we're best-off shot of this preening, posturing, hectoring and self-regarding man, but it doesn't ring true, does it? Not so much a breath of fresh air as a dragon breathing fire, Jose Mourinho was good for the Premier League and great for Chelsea. He was brilliant theatre, and simply brilliant.

His incendiary style, and the internal tensions at Stamford Bridge, meant that Mourinho was never going to possess the longevity of a Wenger or Ferguson, but to leave like this? So early in the season, with a game against Manchester United just a couple of days away? The Champions League had become crucial to Mourinho's future, but who didn't think that his fate would be sealed in the aftermath of a dramatic Champions League final or semi-final, when he would be sacked after another near-miss or walk away in triumph as a champion of Europe once more? Certainly we didn't imagine it all ending with a whimper: after a tame 1-1 draw with little Rosenborg at a half-empty Stamford Bridge.

Not entertaining enough? Well, the interviews were fantastic. The personality, compelling. The football? Were Chelsea really any duller under Mourinho than Liverpool are under Rafael Benitez? (Last season, the Londoners scored more goals.)

If they were boring, it was to neutrals because they were so relentless, so predictable - never losing at home, almost always hitting back when they went behind. Aren't teamwork, organisation, discipline and dedication qualities with as much intrinsic worth as flair? And flair, incidentally, is what Chelsea had under Mourinho. It was just used sparingly, pragmatically, by a coach who knew how inconsistent it can be. Who prioritised winning. Sure, everyone loves style, but how happy will Arsenal fans be if they endure another season of pretty football and no trophies?

Avram Grant, who seems set to replace Mourinho, is an Israeli with a reputation for being gregarious, charismatic and charming. But what of substance has he achieved in the game? Answer: he's weaved his way into Roman Abramovich's affections. And that is enough.

Mourinho's departure is a painful reminder to Chelsea fans that this is Abramovich's club, not theirs. That Chelsea is run like a medieval court. On the King's Road, the king's patronage is all. But, Chelsea supporters, you rejoiced when Abramovich's money and his decision to appoint Mourinho made you the best team in the land. Do you rage now at your owner for what he has done?

Comments

[Rob]

Isn't it interesting how the virtues of his team are being extolled with much more conviction after his departure?

[Nan]

I love Chelsea bec of the team spirt and of course I like Mourinho , the best manager that I ever seen. I am sad to let him go. I like some players in Chelsea and personally they all have their own telents. But my support for Chelsea is down to 10%, not even 100% .