It was as though somebody had unearthed a holy relic. Four pieces of screwed-up paper, abandoned on the turf by the away dugout at the Rico Pérez stadium, home of Herculés, who stand 14th in La Liga. The documents that would unlock the secret, unravel the mystery. Four tiny pieces of paper treated with reverential awe.

 

They were pages torn from José Mourinho's pad. They featured notes such as "pace, movement TR9", "depth, dead balls, switch wings", "arrival, counter". Then there were initials – DM and PL on either side, O and XA in the middle, K behind. And on the final page, numbers: 38, 13, and 6 in a column, 57 below, with "10 months" scrawled alongside. What did it all mean? The relics were carefully gathered up and taken to Canal Plus's flagship show El Día Después. The following day, they were spread across the first two pages of the newspaper AS.

 

Not only was the substance analysed, so was the style – by a handwriting expert and a psychologist. Apparently, Mourinho's long Ts, round numbers and "vibrant" scrawl show he is a "good man" with an "astonishing capacity for leadership", "a strong, decisive character", and "noble" with "incredible intelligence". As for the numbers, he was surely planning his season: it meant 10 months, 38 league games, 13 Champions League games, six in the Copa del Rey. It was a good sign: he was counting on reaching the Champions League final. That was the theory, anyway.

 

Few of the faithful doubted Mourinho would succeed. On one side of Spain's great divide – the side he confronts tomorrow night when he takes his Real Madrid team to Barcelona – Mourinho has been painted as immoral, barely better than Beelzebub. But still he occupies their time; never does a day pass without an attack. On the other side, Mourinho is feted, revered, lauded. Everything he does is part of a master plan, a work of genius. He may be Machiavellian but he is a winner.

 

Last week's red-card furore in the Champions League game at Ajax summed up his season. Real won 4-0 but had two men sent off for time-wasting and incurred Uefa's wrath, as both players thus avoided the possibility of suspension in the first knockout tie. The players and Mourinho have been accused of subterfuge; Madrid's wonderful football lost under a deluge of controversy.

 

Life in Spain had not started well when Mourinho left Inter early in the summer, having overseen the Milanese side's coronation as European champions. Real drew 0-0 twice in three away games, and many feared that his football would be intolerably boring. His team responded by winning their next three games 6-1, 4-1, and 6-1. They racked up seven straight victories. They are top of the league, a point ahead of Barça, having scored 33 in 12 games. No incoming manager has ever started better in this league.

 

There is a collective faith about Madrid: watching Angel di María, the expression of Mourinho's methods on the pitch, is to witness sacrifice and unity. Mourinho has built team spirit. He has beaten it into some: Pedro León was left out for two games, Karim Benzema castigated for arriving late, Sergio Canales dismissed with a simple: "I didn't like him." Defensively, they are sound. They play with pace and precision, devastating on counterattacks launched from Xabi Alonso. They are enjoying more possession than his previous teams ever did, too, with quick interchanges led by Di María, Cristiano Ronaldo and the deceptively simple Mesut Ozil.

'This year's galáctico is Mourinho,' Florentino Pérez said. But Sporting Gijón's Manolo Preciado called him a 'scumbag'

It is not just that Mourinho is winning; it is that he is different. That he can do things his way. No Madrid coach has had such authority. Mourinho has brought a seismic shift at the Santiago Bernabéu. Barcelona have often been identified by their coaches; Madrid have not. Until now. The latest edition of the official club magazine says: "Now, the world's best coach is here." At the start of the season, Madrid's president, Florentino Pérez, announced: "This year's galáctico is Mourinho."

 

Consulted on signings (Ricardo Carvalho and Di María arrived on his insistence), he controls everything and has become the voice of the club, Real's identity. Pérez could not be happier. One director insists: "He is easily the best coach in the world. Not only does he know about tactics, he is the best psychologist, the best manager of egos and the best in the transfer market."

 

The sports newspaper Marca can barely contain itself: Mourinho, one cover ran, "provokes an orgasmou". Headlines with "mou" in them appear obligatory; some are even calling his team Real Moudrid.

 

El País called him the "Michael Jackson of coaches". Canal Plus's analysis of his notes bordered on a scene from the Life of Brian. Notes! It is a sign! When Spain's competition committee investigated a confrontation between him and Manolo Preciado, the Sporting Gijón manager, Marca superimposed his head on to Goya's most famous painting, The third of May 1808, which depicts a humble, defenceless Spaniard facing a French firing squad. He was that important.

 

Not everyone saw him as an innocent victim. Although it was Preciado who insulted Mourinho, calling him a "scumbag", First Division coaches rallied round the Sporting coach. Mourinho had broken the golden rule, questioning another coach's professionalism, accusing Preciado of throwing his match against Barcelona. Preciado is popular; Mourinho has previous, with the constant digs at referees and at opponents.

 

If in Barcelona they are, as Mourinho insists, "obsessed" with him, he has been equally obsessed with them. It is his mission to destroy them. So far, the provocation is not working. Pep Guardiola refuses to be drawn. Nonetheless, when the Barcelona president, Sandro Rosell, said Mourinho would get the "reception he deserves" at the Camp Nou, most considered it a threat.

 

And Madrid are more of a threat than ever before. Mourinho's first mission for Madrid came while he was still coach at Inter: to defeat Barcelona in last year's Champions League semi-final. After four trophyless seasons, winning is all that matters. So what if he winds a few people up on the way?

 

"Those who attack him are just jealous because he is successful," said Alfredo Di Stefáno, Madrid's honorary president. "We didn't sign him to make friends," Emilio Butragueño, the former striker who is now a director, said. "We signed him to win."

 

And to win tomorrow above all.

Sid Lowe - Observer

 

Looking forward to tomorrow night even though the first encounter of the season (for the fourth time in a row I think). Hopefully it's not another red button job and I can watch it at home on Virgin.

 

 

No. 13 Pinto for Barca should be punto. What a fucking liability, both games now.

Farce. Madrid were done.

Beaten certainly but done? Don't take chances, don't win.

Beaten certainly but done? Don't take chances, don't win.

 

Ramos took his chance mate.

Yeah but there were plenty others passed up.

Mourinho is the farce. Utterly pwnt by Pep in all the mind games.

Yeah but there were plenty others passed up.

 

Indeed but a legit goal was scratched.

 

Tide is turning, I think this is Barca's last year of dominance and even then, it might just be the General's Cup that they win.

I dunno mate, still saw a lot to be worried about if I was a Real fa, the fact Pepe is in the the team is ample reason to worry and it would be silly to think that Barca won't buy to strengthen.

I dunno mate, still saw a lot to be worried about if I was a Real fa, the fact Pepe is in the the team is ample reason to worry and it would be silly to think that Barca won't buy to strengthen.

 

Yep, I think Pepe has good games and bad games but at an alarming ratio. Young lad Varne looks the part and may well take his place next year.

 

Not sure who Barca could buy though, are there enough players out there with the quality to improve Barcelona? I'm not sure. They allegedly have Neymar wrapped up but he seems to enjoy the lifestyle enjoyed by the Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Robinho cohort.

The same could well be true of Real then but there's always someone that can improve the team in some way.

 

Leaving all that for a sec, I'm really beginning to harbour a lot of dislike for Mourinho.

The same could well be true of Real then but there's always someone that can improve the team in some way.

 

Leaving all that for a sec, I'm really beginning to harbour a lot of dislike for Mourinho.

 

Indeed but I think Real Madrid have the better squad, at least it seems more "futureproofed".

 

Don't have any issue with Mourinho really but wouldn't be surprised to see Benitez in there in the next year or two (regardless of titles).

The same could well be true of Real then but there's always someone that can improve the team in some way.

 

Leaving all that for a sec, I'm really beginning to harbour a lot of dislike for Mourinho.

 

I know what you mean, always thought he was stirring prick but pretty entertaining so i let him off with it a bit.  Since he has been at madrid his total and utter lack of humility has been appalling

I know what you mean, always thought he was stirring prick but pretty entertaining so i let him off with it a bit.  Since he has been at madrid his total and utter lack of humility has been appalling

 

That's what happens when you join a club full to the brim with cunts! 

 

i would say there are more odious cunts at the london huns but in fairness i pay more attention to english football

... but wouldn't be surprised to see Benitez in there in the next year or two (regardless of titles).

Benitez is an unemployed shite manager, been unemployed for over a year, yet you would NOT be surprised if he ends up at the biggest club in the world? Or at least, if pedantry is your poison, one of the biggest in the world. They definitely had the biggest turnover at least once in the last 3 years.

 

What do you know that we don't? Or is your knowledge of football, humankind and the qualities and abilities required for successful management so flawed that you don't actually know that he's a shite manager?

The only club he's been unsuccessful was Inter was it not? My knowledge of humankind and football is badly flawed though.

The only club he's been unsuccessful was Inter was it not? My knowledge of humankind and football is badly flawed though.

You saying he succeeded at Liverpool? You saying he's not a shite manager? You saying he'll be at Real?

No idea where he'll end up, not especially interested. He was successful at Liverpool but lost a very good team he'd assembled as the finances of the club went to fuck.

No idea where he'll end up, not especially interested. He was successful at Liverpool but lost a very good team he'd assembled as the finances of the club went to fuck.

Well you seemed determined enough to enter a dispute that wasn't yours... again, so let's see it through, shall we?

 

You reckon he's a good manager? You reckon he's well enough regarded that he may end up at Real Madrid? Is your interpretation of him being successful at Liverpool shared by those who are qualified to comment?

 

Your sarcastic causticism suggested you had something to say?

 

Or maybe you weren't being sarcastic at all?

Yes, I think he is a good manager. Lost it a wee bit towards the end at Liverpool. But I'm not very well qualified to offer anything other than an uninformed opinion. Perhaps he's had his best days, who knows.

Benitez completely lost it with a very good team, one which would have been challenging titles, when he bizarrely pursued Gareth Barry for Xavi Alonso. From the middle of the 08/09 season where he imploded at Ferguson and seemed intent on getting rid of the vital Alonso, he royally fucked it up.

Benitez is an unemployed shite manager, been unemployed for over a year, yet you would NOT be surprised if he ends up at the biggest club in the world? Or at least, if pedantry is your poison, one of the biggest in the world. They definitely had the biggest turnover at least once in the last 3 years.

 

What do you know that we don't? Or is your knowledge of football, humankind and the qualities and abilities required for successful management so flawed that you don't actually know that he's a shite manager?

 

Rocket i have to ask, are your regular unnecessary diatribes at folk misguided attempts to create spicier debate or do you genuinely feel the need to rant insults at folk for having a different opinion?  Genuine question, i'm curious.

 

Reason i ask is because say what you like about Benitez but his record bar inter is pretty good.  It all fell down at liverpool but lets not forget he won trophies there including the champions league which the current incumbent of the madrid job could not do at a much better financed chelsea.  Its also not hard to point the a fair bit of the blame for the decline at liverpool on messrs gillete and hicks.  If you add to this the fact he has worked as youth coach at madrid as well as winning la liga twice and eufa cup at valencia, a return to the bernabau as manager is not that much of a leap.  Especially when he was the last manager to win la liga with a team that wasn't in el clasico last night.

Do you actually agree with those two above or are you deliberately disagreeing with me? Genuine question.

 

Some things are worthy of debate but some things are too obvious that we can just agree and move on.

 

Much as presidents and chairpeople of football clubs can make monumental fuck ups, (one of) the biggest clubs in the world isn't going to make that much of a fuck up as to employ Benitez.

 

As a young manager, he was dynamic and he inspired people. As a middle aged manager, he became fat, both in person and of mind. He's a fucking dead duck with a grossly exaggerated opinion of himself. He's the spanish Calderwood, dead wood with the glory days well gone.

 

Then again, the majority on here couldn't even see the limitations of Calderwood, the same qualities that got him zero gigs at clubs bigger than AFC, as predicted. Yet Willie Miller granted him a needless 3 year contract extension and none of you complained or even thought it was wrong.

Benitez is an unemployed shite manager, been unemployed for over a year, yet you would NOT be surprised if he ends up at the biggest club in the world? Or at least, if pedantry is your poison, one of the biggest in the world. They definitely had the biggest turnover at least once in the last 3 years.

 

What do you know that we don't? Or is your knowledge of football, humankind and the qualities and abilities required for successful management so flawed that you don't actually know that he's a shite manager?

 

Wow.

 

I wouldn't say he is a shite manager, he's proven in Spain and in continental football too albeit it was a while ago.

 

Do I think they should employ him? Not necessarily.

 

I read a lot of Spanish press and opinion across many media sources seems to be that the fans want a "Real Madrid man" and Rafa fits that bill. It's a safe appointment because he'd be easier to fire than someone like Raul/Zidane for example.

 

I'm sure that will all change when they win the league though.

 

Does that answer your question?

 

Wow.

 

I wouldn't say he is a shite manager, he's proven in Spain and in continental football too albeit it was a while ago.

 

Do I think they should employ him? Not necessarily.

 

I read a lot of Spanish press and opinion across many media sources seems to be that the fans want a "Real Madrid man" and Rafa fits that bill. It's a safe appointment because he'd be easier to fire than someone like Raul/Zidane for example.

 

I'm sure that will all change when they win the league though.

 

Does that answer your question?

 

 

Ok, so you're not as much an advocate of him as I first read. You admit that his "success" was indeed "a while ago".

 

People change and abilities change. I swear that whatever opinion you're reading is wrong in that Real won't appoint Rafa.

 

That would be suicide. Rafa's ability to inspire others has long since evaporated. He's become what he always was. It just wasn't so apparent when he had energy, enthusiasm and dynamism. Some managers (in business, life etc. too, not just sport) were never cut out for it and it's only when they do get found out that they stop believing in themselves, rightly.

 

If Rafa doesn't believe it, no employer's going to take the chance but even more crucially if the employer did take a punt, the players aren't going to believe him. Rafa did believe in himself once upon a time and he was producing, getting others to perform at the top of their games. I suspect the start of his downfall was man-management rather than technical or knowledge gaps. Perhaps he believed in his own hype and adulation and forgot the key responsibilities and functions of the role. Whatever the reason, he's damaged goods, a manager who can't manage men and who knows he can't.

 

This is different from Calderwood. His bluster was based on bullshit from the start. He couldn't believe how far he got with zero intelligence, zero charisma, zero inspiration and zero management ability. He just was never a leader of men and always knew it himself and suckers like us gave him five fucking years.