Mourinho must keep it shut
AS truces go, its one of footballs most delicate balancing acts
since peace reigned on the Western Front for 24 hours on Christmas
Day 1914. In return for Jose Mourinho getting the centre-half of
his choice, he keeps his mouth shut until the end of the
season.
Which the Chelsea manager will probably find slightly more tricky
than adding the Champions League and a third title to the two
Premiership crowns already delivered. Not that he said much or
actually needed to say much during or after Chelseas 4-0 stroll
against Wigan on Saturday.
All the words that needed to be uttered came pouring down from the
Stamford Bridge terraces. As the chants of Stand up for the
Special One echoed round the ground, Mourinho sat in the dugout
nodding his head in silent approval. The only surprise was he did
not stand up himself. And take a bow.
Up in the gods, Roman Abramovich looked down and saw the other
Romans hailing Little Caesar. His manager had won the battle. As
for the war, that is a different matter. As anyone foolhardy enough
to attempt to cross the Russian billionaire long ago discovered,
there is only one ultimate winner.
Not that this will unduly discomfort Mourinho. He knows his worth
both inside and outside the club. Even more so outside.
Abramovich, determined to rein in his headstrong manager, has
backed down. And that will not have been easy for a man who always
gets his way.
At the same time, Mourinho knows exactly where he stands. Having
been given the go-ahead to sign the defender he wants Micah
Richards or Tal Ben Haim he realises there can be no more
boat-rocking.
No more prevarication, no more drip-drip of information designed to
undermine his bosses and bolster his own position. And, definitely,
no more excuses.
