Mourinho to Italy? Don’t Tease Me So!

By: Martha | January 9th, 2007

Ohpleaseohpleaseohplease Last weekend was rife with rumors that The Special One had fallen even further out with Chelsea owner Roman Abromovich, leading to the widely held conclusion that it’s only a matter of time before he’s replaced by Guus Hiddink (both the architect of South Korean’s and Australia’s recent World Cup success and a friend of Abromovich’s). As one of the highest profile, most successful managers in the game for the last several years, Mourinho is surely on the radar for any number of massive clubs — and at least two of them are in Italy.

The first Italian club thrown into the mix by rumor mongers was Inter, where Roberto Mancini is yet to sign a contract extension. If the clubs wins the Scudetto on the trot this season, one could understand Mancio wanting to pursue other challenges, and Mourinho certainly has the temperament — Read: Cocky and smart as hell — for the gig. (By the same token, of course, a dominating win could tie Mancini to the club for the long-term — it’s much more fun to view the situation as constantly in flux, though, so I’m going to go with that first option.) And, recently, Juve has been thrown into the mix. I mean, hell — they’ve been associated with every single other name in the past month, so why not Mourinho’s as well? It’s being suggested that the recent trip to England by Juve officials may have been made not to negotiate with Javier Mascherano (what a clusterfuck that’s turned into), but to have a sitdown with a certain Portuguese gaffer. Curiouser and curiouser.

Me, I adore Mourinho. I love his ego, how smart he is, and his power to make Alex Ferguson lose his mind with rage. (Plus, he dresses incredibly well.) For all those reason, his arrival in Italy would be a giant summer gift for everyone who loves the volitility of Serie A. If you think he’s pissed off people in England? All I’m saying is look the hell out, people. It’d be even crazier in Italy.

[Thanks to Laurie for the Juve link]