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Just when will José come home?

February 25th, 2007 | By: Luis | 87 Comments »

Strange as it may seem, this is our first post about José Mourinho. I’ve done my best to resist the urge, mostly out of respect for Big Phil and his good work. But with all the recent commotion around Mourinho’s future, I just can’t help chiming in about our favorite man in black – occasionally blue or gray, but mostly black. He’s the ten ton elephant in Portuguese football, always hovering in the wings with that famous fatalistic scowl – “que grande fadista“. You’d swear he spends his nights roaming the streets of Coimbra, crooning about his exploits.

He can’t be ignored and his impact on Portuguese football is probably only challenged by the likes of Eusébio and Figo or the promise of a Cristiano Ronaldo. Fact is, you can’t talk football in Portugal without eventually getting around to José Mourinho. We watched him win trophies with Porto. We chuckled as he declared his “special” status in England, and then proved it so. And Now, we tune in to see what kind of magic he’ll pull off, in this, his most challenging season yet.

He sure has his hands full this year. In addition to the usual media hazing and frequent tussles with opposing managers, he has a red hot Man U to deal with and an uppity Roman Abramovich breathing down his neck. And all this while he tries to mend a battered lineup. Were it not for Essien and Drogba, Chelsea would be finished this season. These are contentious days at Stamford Bridge and it just makes you question what might happen at the end of the season. Will Mourinho leave? Will he decide to jump to Spain’s La Liga, perhaps a turn at Real or Barcelona? And of course, all along the way we wonder, hmnn, just when will José come home?

I think secretly most of us fancy the idea of Mourinho leading the national team, but for now the debate in Portugal rages on. Will his strong personality be a good thing for the program or will he end up embroiled in one conflict after another with the FPF bureaucracy? I tend to think that after Scolari, we need another very strong personality to guide the program to the next level – someone that can keep the usual suspects at bay much as Big Phil has. Lets face it without a strong manager, the program will descend back into that muddy pit of influence peddling that handicapped the program before the Scolari era.

Only time will tell how this all plays out, but Mourinho’s tenure will come one day. It’s not a matter of if, but rather of when. Today, however, we stand firmly behind our man Scolari as he continues his fight to win a major trophy for Portugal.

For those of you who are curious and haven’t already heard it, here’s a sample of what Portugal’s locker room may sound like with Mourinho at the helm. Definitely not your typical team talk.

Tags: Mourinho, national team, Portugal

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Displaying the most recent 25 comments from a total of 87 comments.

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By Ceasar L | March 9th, 2007 at 3:57 pm

Daria
I’m with you. I think CR is only going to get better, but I look at the past great players and other than Pele (who, granted didn’t play in Europe), which one of them did at 21/22 years of age what CR’s doing?? He’s got a chance to win the trible in England, Champions League, top scorer in Premiership, and one of the front runners for world player of the year.
I’m not sure but I don’t think Zidane, Rinaldinho, Ronaldo, or Figo at 22 could boast the same. It’s scary when you think of it. And, as been mentioned here and elswhere, he’s still getting better! What do you guys think?

Pedro
About your comment that CR should stay at MU. I agree totally and would add that from a personal financial point of view it also makes sense for him to stay put. He is worth more, from a promotional point of view, in England than Spain or Italy. He has the ability to hit Beckham numbers from marketing only if he stays in England.
Hopefully his agent and advisers look at the overall picture before making any team change. Living in Canada I can tell you that there is no way he would get the same coverage in North America if he goes outside of England. All you have to do is look at Rui Costa and how he was playing at Fiorentina and only the Italians and some Portuguese even noticed.
The Italians can boast that the Seria A is the best league in the world, but the proof is in the pudding. 3 Premiership teams in the final 8 of CL ( almost 4). CR is playing in the best league in the world right now and he’s the best player in that league (hopefully voted so at the end of the season). Now that’s something to boast about!
I just hope that soon Quaresma ends up there also…

Posted from Canada

By Luis | March 10th, 2007 at 1:12 pm

Ceasar – You are so right. And lets not forget what he’s done for the national team in the last 4 years as well. It’s hard to name a player that has made such a large contribution before his 21st bday – truly outstanding and ditto on the English league. Ronaldo makes them eat crow with every game he plays.

He’s full of style and pace, but lets not forget his toughness. Name another player that takes the abuse he takes and is so rarely if ever injured. The sky is the limit with Ronaldo. Hard to imagine how good he’ll be when he peaks at 26 or so.

Posted from United States

By Daria | March 11th, 2007 at 11:46 pm

I never like to hear a player is hurt but it may be some good news for Braga that Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham looks like he will miss the Uefa Cup tie against Braga this week. He has been on fire and is always creating amazing goals out of nothing so it will be a big blow to Tottenham to be without him but it is good chance for Braga to make a comeback! On a somewhat (but not really)related note, Berbatov is a player that I think would look great in the Red AIG shirt of Man Utd. He is just what they need!

Posted from Canada

By Carlos | March 12th, 2007 at 9:34 am

I totally agree with you, Ceasar, but before we start talking about promotion and stuff, we have to know CR’s psychological situation.
For the NT it’s the best thing if he only does best. However, the most important thing at his state of career is his happiness: yet he has enough time to win the really big things.
Beckham did never seem really happy with his popularity. You could say it destroyed his career: He was always to self-convinced and the great performance against Bayern in the Bernabeu is not enough for a world-class player like him.

Don’t make too high demands on him: he needs feedback, but I believe in his strength and bravery. God bless him.

Posted from Austria

By Pedro P | March 12th, 2007 at 2:18 pm

I wouldn’t compare CR with Pele just yet, if at all… But try and look for any player his age, with his skill, his maturity, his achievements, his cool to react the way he did to the hostile atmosphere in England post-WC06. Yeah… Not a lot… Not Rooney, not even Ronaldinho…

It’s not scary, Ceasar… It’s nice!

I think it’s essential for him to stay at Man Utd, as it’s the best way to secure his growth. Imagine he goes to Barcelona, then the coach gets fired, then the new coach had different views and builds a different team, players change randomly, frustration builds up in the team, then the coach stops liking him, media pressure builds up and then the year’s gone and no silverware…

Man Utd will win the EPL this year, maybe the champs also. AND, it’s essential to have such a high level in competition, also internally with your team mates, AND a full house every sunday is indeed something that can make a player (more than all the pounds/euros/dollars) forget the absence of the sun, smiles in peoples faces and decent food…

In my mind, the clubs that can boost your image one hundred-fold are Milan, Barca, Real and some of the english. And Milan is still a special case, cos players that come out of there come “formated” to a style of play, not necessarily the best to develop skill and pace. Kaka is doing fine anyway…

Man Utd are winning, won a lot of european cups, have a charisma others will never have. Look at those players… Van der Saar, Giggs, Rooney, etc, c’mon, we’re not talking small fish here… Most players would be proud to have played together with them for a year, let alone becoming the team’s reference, at 22…

Luis, the other player I remember being kicked a lot and almost never injured was Figo… I hardly remember him ever injured at all. Who was far from being as good as CR is, at 22. Let’s just hope CR has Figo’s determination and mental strength… So far, he’s passed Cum Laude…

I’d also like to see Quaresma, or Nani, with Man Utd. I really would. Honestly, maybe Nani even more.

Ceasar: An italian guy once told me this story… Colina was once asked which player would he chose to have dinner with, based on personal admiration. He said: “Rui Costa. Because he is the most fair/honourable/”somebody find the right english word please” player I’ve ever seen”. Here’s one for all that like saying PT players are just a bunch of cheats. It’s a pitty he didn’t move to Milan a few “decades” before. The man who didn’t look at the ball when playing…

There was only one Zidane, true. But there IS only one Maestro! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSjMTc95_kw

Posted from Netherlands

By Ceasar L | March 12th, 2007 at 2:45 pm

Right you are Pedro. I think the word your looking for is “integrity” and Rui Costa had and has that in abundance! If CR looks to Costa and Figo for advice he will always do well. Those guys are class acts on and off the pitch.

Great points all of you. It sure is a pleasure having an intelligent conversation with such knowledgable football fans..

I don’t know if it’s just me, but I think the English game would suit Quaresma’s style perfectly. I know he’d have to go to the right team (from a coaching perspective) and he’d have to get used to all the abuse he’d attract. I just think that the fast direct game played in the Premiership would allow him to really dazzle and dupe most defenders, kinda like CR does. haha

Like I said, right now CR has the potential to win:

Premiership title
FA Cup
Champions League
Top scorer in Premiership (Drogba needs to slow down. haha)
Premiership player of the year (almost for sure)
European player of the year (min top 3)
World Player of the year (min top 3)
Laurie, I’m sure there’s got to be a best dressed footballer trophy or something also??

All before his 23 birthday – SWEET!

Other than that I don’t think he’ll accomplish much this year.. haha

Posted from Canada

By Daria | March 12th, 2007 at 3:12 pm

I agree Ceasar, I think that the English game would suit Quaresma but I think the most important part of your point was that it MUST be the right team. He needs to play for a team that plays an attacking game. If he were to go somewhere like Bolton or Blackburn it would be a disaster for him and would be a step back rather then forward. Similarly, I think, the same would be true if he went to Chelsea, not that they play defensively in the same way as the other teams I mentioned but they have both Robben and Cole who play a similar style to Quaresma and despite a few games where they have been able to show their stuff they spend alot of time on the bench and out of Mourinho’s game plan. Despite Chelsea’s success I really believe that he would be better served as a respected and integral part of Porto rather than an undeserving bench-warmer who plays in Carling Cup ties with Chelsea. That said I do believe that he would do very well at United, possibly Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal and if they can ever get themselves together maybe Newcastle who can enjoy an attacking game on good days.

Posted from Canada

By Ceasar L | March 12th, 2007 at 3:29 pm

Good points Daria.
Quaresma needs to play. I agree with you totally. As a Liverpool fan I would love to see him and Simao both at Liverpool. Especially since I think Benitez (spelling?) would give him lots and lots of playing time and develop his game further.
You made a good point about Mourihno. I don’t know if those 2 would get along?
It was nice watching Quaresma giving Chelsea fits in the last game though..

Posted from Canada

By Pedro P | March 13th, 2007 at 10:37 am

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/premiership/2006-2007/sport_sto1115317.shtml

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/portugal-superliga/2006-2007/sport_sto1112979.shtml

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/portugal-superliga/2006-2007/sport_sto1105832.shtml Although I’m almost sure Pepe already has PT passport for a while…

http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/portugal-superliga/2006-2007/sport_sto1099299.shtml

Posted from Netherlands

By Ceasar L | March 13th, 2007 at 10:39 am

Another Englishman praises CR

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_1978521,00.html

Posted from Canada

By Pedro P | March 13th, 2007 at 12:09 pm

Just read it over at the Man Utd blog, still without comments… Point is this, usually we suppoort the guys we like, and of course, we always say they’re the best. Some of them get defended by former players, or TV comentators, or wise-guys. Some not. CR is a case in which virtually almost everybody is unanimous. Former players, current players, portuguese, enlish, dutch, good and bad, active or retired coaches, etc… How often do you see that…? I guess booing him so much payed off…

I don’t think he’s the best. But I think he could be. If things progress smoothly and naturally, I have no doubt he will get there. And so will Messi, if he gains some body/weight and consistency in his game. But did you see him against Real…? CR’s not alone, nor will he ever be, in this race… For now, I’ll settle for “one of the best” and below this level is simply not fair.

Posted from Netherlands

By Pedro P | March 13th, 2007 at 12:32 pm

I cannot say if the english game is good or bad for Quaresma. I’d say his style would always fit in better in Spain, although he does have the speed for England. But in Spain, Barca doesn’t need any winger and Real is struggling right now.

It’s naturally not worthwhile to go anywhere and warm the bench… Liverpool…? Don’t they play too defensive…? They have an excellent coach, though. Man Utd or Chelsea are two places I would love to see Quaresma go. Liverpool… Great club, great history, recently bought by an american millionaire… Looking back to the match, last week, to be on the pitch and hear the crowd singing… Must be very special for a player.

I think of Nani and then I think about the eternal problem… If Sporting CP lets the best kids go, it never really profits from what it creates. If they don’t let them go, they also can’t use them, cos they never have enough $ to build a strong team.

Anyway, currently, a player has to leave Portugal to be on the top teams, otherwhise they never achieve their full potential. Except some cases, but very few. In view of this, I must say Nani should go, go, go, to a club that’s stable and where he could improve other aspects of his game. Moving to England would force him to gain more pace and not to rely all the times exclusivelly on his skill. In Italy he’d learn the difference between setting up a good counter and setting up a deadly couner , etc… But I’d like to see him in England.

Posted from Netherlands

By Carlos | March 13th, 2007 at 1:04 pm

I don’t know whether Spain is the perfect place for anyone right now… both FCB and Real do have their problems and you’ll hardly get a chance to play in Valencia or even “warm the bench”, as Pedro said. I’m only thinking of Sevilla, who have an excellent coach, but new guys still have no real chance on playing. They are doing too well at the moment and won’t make the same mistake as Real: Never change a winning team.

Posted from Austria

By Luis | March 13th, 2007 at 2:45 pm

It warms my heart to see you guys so involved with commentaries and discussing the best of PT football at such a knowledgeable level. I’ll just share one experience with you guys.

I watched the national team on and off for many years, but because of the usual disappointments, I rarely let myself get too crazy. That was, until I saw a young man by the name of Cristiano Ronaldo play in Scolari’s starting 11. At that time, he was hardly even known, but his style of play and determination was already evident. I said to myself, “This kid is different and has the natural gifts to mark a new era in PT football.” Of course, that’s an over simplification. There was already a tremendous amount of quality for Scolari to work with before Ronaldo showed up, but the energy and joy that Ronaldo played with told me that this was an important milestone in the evolution of the national team. I concluded that this kid would be a legend some day. I know it’s still early in his career, but almost 5 years later, he has yet to prove me wrong. Only difference, now, is that the world has also seen this kid’s potential. Ronaldo embodies, in my opinion, all the hopes and aspirations that the nation has for the national team program. I wouldn’t trade him for any other player, if given the choice.

The recognition is well deserved and feels particularly good for those of us that stood up for him during the most difficult times. Lets not forget how fashionable it was to bash Ronaldo just a few months ago – in some cases, it still is.

Anyway, the emergence of a talent like Ronaldo is fabulous news for the future of the national team. If we can develop a Ronaldo, then there is no reason why we can’t develop a Nani, Queresma, Moutinho or Djalo to the same level. We just need to make sure that we have another strong coach to take over from Scolari and ensure continuity. The only real weak point in PT football is the politics that keeps the SuperLiga mired in one political scandal after another. Unfortunately, football and political power are intertwined in Portugal. We can only hope that changes some day. As it stands now, the SuperLiga is just a springboard for our most outstanding talents. To reach their potential our best athletes need to leave Portugal.

Posted from United States

By Ceasar L | March 13th, 2007 at 3:52 pm

You guys are making some excellent points.

I think we can all agree that the future of pt national team looks very very good. Unfortunately to some people this means we should win the WC and EC. But we all know that you need talent and luck to win those. We’ve already come close and hopefully we will win one or both.

But I look at the talent pool we have now and whats seems to be comming up, especially after listening to you guys and I’m very excited for the future.

I’ll be able let you all of you know a little better after I see the U20 this summer in Canada for the U20 WC. I’ve already bought tickets for the group stage in Toronto and I’ll be able to see at least 2 PT games. They had a hard time qualifying, but they made it. You can be sure that all the Portuguese in Toronto and guys like me who are flying in for will be giving them all the support they need. It will seem like a home game for them.

Posted from Canada

By Daria | March 14th, 2007 at 12:47 am

Well it was another great night for CR at Old Trafford. Playing in a charity match against an all-star European squad he stole the show. Not only did he score an absolutely amazing free-kick goal but he brought out every trick in the book and entertained the crowd with every move! It is quite an accomplishment for a 22 year old to be the talk of the show with so many world class players involved. This article sums it up pretty well…
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1001/1001855_united_4_europe_xi_3.html
I am practically glowing with pride to be able to say that he is Portuguese. Now lets just hope the rest of our boys will get the chance to show the world how good they are. While the World Cup or Euro 2008 would be amazing I would settle for the NT to just finally receive the credit they deserve internationally. Forca Portugal!!

Posted from Canada

By Pedro P | March 14th, 2007 at 5:32 am

The US is porobably not the country where football is big, but US women kick ass at footy… Check out the news from Algarve: http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_281781.html

Posted from Netherlands

By Pedro P | March 14th, 2007 at 8:04 am

A mini-interview with Soares Franco, Sporting CP’s president (PT): http://sol.sapo.pt/PaginaInicial/Desporto/Interior.aspx?content_id=25537

Posted from Netherlands

By Joe | March 14th, 2007 at 8:45 am

Further to Daria, here are some highlights of the Manu game vs Europe xI. http://youtube.com/watch?v=XiowjlCx3pc

CR goal is pretty amazing.

By Daria | March 14th, 2007 at 12:38 pm

Thanks Joe…I was just coming to do that! In any case here is a clip that makes me feel a little better about my own skills by reminding me that even the best don’t get it perfect every time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWfVkDDTJzE
The best thing about this is that it shows despite all the pressure and expectation CR still comes out of it laughing and enjoying the game. We should all be so lucky!

Posted from Canada

By Luis | March 14th, 2007 at 12:59 pm

What a bender. Goalie’s might as well just watch when he hits them like that.

Posted from United States

By Pedro P | March 15th, 2007 at 11:11 am

Scolari calls, for the next 2 matches:

Ricardo e Daniel Fernandes (baliza), Fernando Meira, Jorge Andrade, Miguel, Manuel da Costa, Caneira, Paulo Ferreira e Ricardo Carvalho (defesa), Petit, Deco, Hugo Viana, João Moutinho, Raul Meireles e Tiago (médios), Cristiano Ronaldo, Hélder Postiga, Hugo Almeida, Nani, Nuno Gomes, Quaresma e Simão.

Glad to see Hugo Almeida there, who scored (again) the 1-0 yesterday for Werder Bremen, new goalie Daniel Fernandes, from PAOK – never saw him play but Quim is I think injured. Also good news Nani’s back to the NT (he had a bad period after Sporting’s kicking out), on a personal level I’m happy to see Raul Meireles – that’s my kind of midfielders – also the consistency of Hugo Viana, the cerebral playmaker (too cerebral, or slow, that is) but also the only we have to replace Deco, also very good to see Scolari’s still putting his $ on Moutinho. There’s nothing like a Moutinho on a rainy day… The player with more games under his belt in the portuguese league. And he’s only 20… Manuel da Costa, c defender currently at PSV… Playing good. Notice still the “void” for left-back options…

Posted from Netherlands

By Carlos | March 15th, 2007 at 2:34 pm

@ Ceasar: I’m really glad that at least some people recognize that it’s not the most important thing to win all those cups. They have been invited to motivate players and clubs and not to forge nationalism, hate and disappointment.
I’m Portuguese fan because of the guys in the team, their style of playing, my devotion for the country of Portugal and – last but not least – because of my friends and the other supporters like you. Just show me any Dutch or Italian blog where you can discuss at the same level as here. Thank you, and FORÇA PORTUGAL.

Posted from Austria

By Joe | March 15th, 2007 at 2:41 pm

Scolari is going very young with this call up, could be the changing of the guard, no Maniche or Costinha for the big game against Serbia. I do like the choices, I would have liked to have seen Maniche though, he always seems to get a goal in a big game.
I wonder who he will start at striker, the veteran Gomes, or take a chance on in form Almeida. I like this kid, all he does is score. A big guy, I think against a team like Serbia, he could be very useful. I know he is used to playing in a 2 striker system with Bremen, but at the U21 level I believe they pretty much use a 433 type formation, where he is the only one in the middle. I can’t wait for the games, watching Portugal play always gives me a rush. Hopefully they can equal the kind of display and effort they put against Brazil.

In regards to the left back situation, they will most likely use Caneira in at least one of the games. I understand Da Costa can pretty much play all four defensive positions, and with Alex out at PSV, he will most likely get increased playing time there.

Our real first game to see Quaresma and Ronaldo play in a meaningful game together, lets hope it works as well against Belgium and Serbia as it did against Brazil. No Simao for the first game due to yellow card accumulation. Good luck boys.

By Daria | March 15th, 2007 at 3:45 pm

I think that the squad looks great. The thing I love about Scolari is that he is the boss. He calls up who he wants when he wants and doesn’t allow anyone to pressure him into making decisions he is uncomfortable with. I hope that whoever follows him will be the same. I like the idea of a young squad. The younger guys who are not established on the team will be playing to keep their spot and for those who have been left off, they may use it as motivation to up their game. In any case all of these players deserve to be there but as usual there are also deserving players who have been left off, that is just the nature of sport. I recognize however that Scolari is great at his job and is always on top of who is in form and who will best fit his game plan. I am a true believer the best players don’t always come together to form the best team. I am just so excited to finally have some international action in the picture that he probably could have named almost anyone to the team and I would have been overjoyed!

Posted from Canada

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