Jose Mourinho must have mixed feelings when he looks back at his time as Chelsea manager.
Manchester United’s early struggles this season seem a far cry from his initial stint at Stamford Bridge, a period in which he won two titles, one FA Cup, and two League Cups.
As he prepares to renew his old rivalry with Arsene Wenger this weekend, it was almost inevitable that the fixture would stir up memories of the first time the Special One arrived in the Premier League.
It’s been 12 years since he landed in west London as a Champions League winner from Porto – incidentally, the same amount of time since Wenger last lifted the Premier League trophy.
The Portuguese is still unhappy that Le Professeur is apparently held in higher regard than him, cheekily telling reporters:
“Mr Wenger has that respect from all of you. I don’t think I have it.
“My last league title was 18 months ago, not 18 years ago.”
However, he’s clearly well-respected in some quarters, not least among his former players.
William Gallas, who played under both Mourinho and Wenger, has recalled the inspirational team-talk the former gave his players on the first day he arrived at Chelsea.
In an interview with Sky Sports, brought to our attention via Goal.com, Gallas quoted his former boss as saying:
“I’ve only got three champions [in this squad]; [Claude] Makelele is a champion, [Ricardo] Carvalho is a champion, [Paulo] Ferreira is a champion. There is no other player who has won something.
“If you want to win something, you have to follow me. If you follow me, I will bring you success.”
That sounds like it was a pretty bold statement of intent if ever there was one.
As for Gallas, he subsequently left Chelsea in 2006 and headed to the Emirates, and he has a rather interesting way of comparing his two most notable managers.
“Wenger is more relaxed,” he added.
“Sometimes he speaks to his players, but it’s not like Jose. With Jose, you have to be 100% every day.
“He always wants the best, so if you don’t give 100% in training he will stop you and ask what’s wrong.”
If Mourinho can achieve half of his former success at United, he’ll have done well, and victory over Arsenal – and most importantly, Wenger – would be a great way to get the Red Devils back on track.