The Special One is heading to Golgotha; Jose Mourinho’s second spell in England could come to an abrupt end if his jaded Chelsea fails to win against Liverpool today (Saturday). Ordinarily, Reds’ visit to Stamford Bridge should not have made Blues’ faithful press the panic button because Chelsea have far better statistics over their rivals, having won three and lost same number in their last six meetings.
But situations have changed at the Bridge, things are falling apart, confidence has hit bottom low, the Special One looks confused, the players are frustrated and the fans are disillusioned. The defending champions have lost five already in 10 games and are surprisingly sitting 15th on the league table.
They have also crashed out of the Capital One Cup. This is certainly their worst situation since owner Roman Abramovic took over about a decade ago. Of course, most of the tirades have been directed at the manager; he is certainly going to be the sacrificial lamb if things get worse.
The Portuguese has aggravated the club’s situation with his eccentric behaviour, he has courted too many troubles already, which hurt the club not only in terms of results, but its image has also been battered. Sent to the stands in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at West Ham United, the Portuguese has spent much of the early campaign picking fights.
The club’s former doctor, Eva Carniero, referees, the Football Association, Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, and even some of his own players have been caught in the crossfire of Mourinho’s angry outbursts Although Abramovic, two weeks ago, reportedly threw his weight behind his coach but a loss to Liverpool may force him to withdraw his support and risk forking out £30m severance fee.
The German is not without his own troubles, injuries to key players may affect his dream. Christian Benteke who sat out the Capital One Cup match is still doubtful for this one, so also is Daniel Sturridge but Firminho’s performance midweek should give him some hope.
Although Klopp is spending his first month in England, he had tangled with Mourinho a number of times in the past. He practically ended the Portuguese’s rein at Real Madrid when his then club, Borrusia Dortmund, sent Los Blancos out of the Champions League three seasons ago and it remains to be seen if the German is going to be the nemesis of the 52-year-old again. Some pundits have alleged sabotage from the players but many of the coach’s wards have publicly declared support for their boss with the latest one coming from striker Loic Remy.
“It’s important for him (Mourinho) to stay and we don’t want to give up.” Remy said. “We were champions together only last season and he is a really great manager. Of course I don’t want him to leave. I think all the players don’t want that.” Will the players save their manager today? Will they allow the Normal One deal the last blow on the Special One? It is a matter for 90 minutes.
