Jose Mourinho’s latest club shows he’s given up after burning too many bridges

Jose Mourinho has been a remarkably successful manager, but the Special One appears to have run out of options after burning bridges at most of Europe’s top clubs

There was a time, long ago, when Jose Mourinho was the answer to every club’s crisis.

Going through tough times? Clueless manager struggling? Need some star quality? Give Jose a call and, for a price, he will be willing to lend you his exclusive brand to turn things around.

Mourinho was able to dine out on his mythical beginnings as a translator under Bobby Robson at Barcelona, on his legendary Champions League win with Porto and his sustained golden era with Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid. He is a serial winner. As close to a guarantee of trophies it is possible to get. And the extra eyes on the club can’t hurt.

That was Mourinho’s CV. But at the age of 62, and with over 20 years of management experience at the top level, the shine has come off the package.

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Mourinho has been around for so long, given so many fiery press conferences, abused so many referees, fallen out with so many club owners, cast aside so many players, that he is running out of road. There are only so many bridges you can burn before things inevitably grind to a halt.

When he was sacked by Fenerbahce at the end of August for failing to qualify for the Champions League it looked like a classic end to the archetypal Mourinho cycle. There had been clashes over transfers, a refereeing controversy, a hefty fine and a touchline ban – but this time no silverware, with Fenerbahce finishing second in the Turkish Super Lig.

Mourinho was linked with a move back to the Premier League. The idea of the ‘Special One’ back on our screens, captivating audiences and providing drama is always going to bring interest. But Nottingham Forest resisted the temptation and instead went for Ange Postecoglou after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo – and now it seems Mourinho is heading back to Portugal.

He has reportedly agreed to take over at Benfica after Bruno Lage was sacked following a 3-2 defeat by Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday night. Mourinho has coached Benfica before, albeit 25 years ago for just nine games meaning the Lisbon giants are yet to experience the Mourinho whirlwind.

Benfica are a big club who are in the Champions League, so this is no step down for Mourinho, whose last trophy was the Conference League at Roma. But a move back to his home country, for the first time since he left Porto 21 years ago for Chelsea, perhaps represents an admission that he can’t attract plum jobs in Europe any more.

After all, regardless of his powers waning, there are not many avenues left, given he has taken charge of Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham in England, Real Madrid in Spain and Inter Milan and Roma in Italy. Would Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich, for example, even consider Mourinho next time they need a new manager?

He is unlikely to accept it, but his time has been and gone. His reputation as a counter-attacking maestro, as the ultimate spoiler, capable of disabling even the very best attacks, has faded in the rear-view mirror.

Unfortunately for him, it has been replaced by the reputation of an overly negative, grouchy and unattractive manager. His brand of football and persona would not matter so much if he were still getting results, but while still decent, his record is no longer elite.

The move to Benfica, if it goes through, appears to be one step away from the end goal. Mourinho has spoken of his desire to manage the Portugal national team one day. This move could be an admission that he has given up on pursuing the kind of moves which made him famous.

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