"BIG JOSE" SETS OUT TO CONQUER SPAIN

At present, Jose Mourinho probably qualifies as the best manager in the world.  Led by the Portuguese, Inter proved themselves the strongest team in the Champions League after a 45-year break.  In addition, the team won the Italian championship as well as the country's cup competition.

In the Champions League, Inter defeated the giants of European football.  Aristocratic Chelsea, powerful Barcelona, experienced Bayern - they all hoisted the white flag before Mourinho's team.  An analysis of Inter's games in the League shows that there was nothing accidental about their victory.  Mourinho, 47, proved to the world that he is a genius.  Many people might reproach us for using the word "genius," but Mourinho's achievement is beyond any debate:  appointed manager after Roberto Mancini's resignation, the Portuguese made Inter not only national champions, but he also brought to Milan the Champions Cup they had dreamed of for so many years.

As for the criticism of Inter by some experts for its "defensive" football, this is not the right approach.  What goes down in history is the result.  And the results show that Inter handed out lessons this season to the greatest teams in international football, like Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern.  Mourinho restored Inter's self-confidence.  He made a star of Diego Milito, a striker brought into the team precisely on Mourinho's advice and who soon became a leading player at the club.

Mourinho made Cesar one of the best goalkeepers in the world.  Of course, the Brazilian had played well in the past, but his fantastic performances in the last 3 games in the League made him number one in the Brazilian national team.  Jose Mourinho has rebuilt Inter's image.  Having climbed three peaks in one season thanks to Mourinho (had he stayed, Inter would probably win the Super Cup too), Inter first reached seventh heaven and then plunged into despair.  In the game with Chelsea, Mourinho sought revenge.  Naturally - Abramovich had failed to show his appreciation of Mourinho.  Now Jose had to prove to Abramovich that he was a force to be reckoned with.  And right before Abramovich's eyes, Inter knocked Chelsea out of the competition.  Then it was the turn of a no less formidable opponent, Barcelona.  Very good at analyzing the opponents' game, Mourinho disarmed the Catalans in the first game with a single trick:  he starved Messi of the ball.  In the return game, Camp Nou was dumbfounded and in despair:  everyone hoped that, at home, Barcelona would walk over Inter but, in the end, it was Jose Mourinho who triumphed again.

Inter fought their last "battle" against Bayern.  This game was also seen as a duel: between Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, who is viewed as the former's mentor.  Although people watching the final game preferred the open football of the German team, they had to applaud Inter's victory.

Then, at a press conference after the game, Mourinho said that he was leaving, hinting at plans to change employment.

He likes risks.  Not every manager quits after great victories like these...

And after winning everything that was winnable with Inter, Jose Mourinho set out for Real - the royal club signed a 4-year contract with him for an annual remuneration of 10 million euro a year.

His decision to swap one super team for another can only be welcomed.  However, the situation at Real is quite difficult.  In recent years, the royal club has changed managers far too often.  Even Fabio Capello was fired, despite winning La Liga.  It will be interesting to see if Jose Mourinho's winning touch will work on Madrid.

In the past, under Mourinho's management, Deco, Lampard, Drogba and Milito became candidates for the Ballon d'Or.  But the atmosphere at Real is different.  Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo, footballers who have already won the title of world's best player, are at the royal club.

Jose is nothing like Fabio Capello. He does not demand that stars be bought.  On the contrary, he prefers experienced players, whom he moulds into stars.

Mourinho does not stay at the same place for long.  He does his job, wins titles and starts all over again.  After success with Inter, he is in for a difficult struggle at Real:  his temper and scandalous statements have won him a notoriety of sorts.  His every press conference immediately generates another scandal.  Before the game he speaks as if his team has already won.  This is how Mourinho gives his team psychological support.

He will do anything for his team:  he argues with referees and sometimes even has verbal exchanges with opposing players.

Perhaps he is still far from being a genius.  But Mourinho is certainly making great strides towards becoming one.  Unwilling to work with any national team, this manager dreams about new records.

With Inter's victory in the Champions League, Mourinho became the third manager to achieve this with two different clubs.  Now he dreams of winning the Champions League with yet another team, to become the only manager to lead three different teams to the title.

Although there is a degree of complacency in him, he is also very sincere.  Mourinho has proved to everyone that even people with careers in professional football can become good managers.  Now he is making history as a manager.  At one of his latest press conferences, a journalist accused him of being smug, asking him:  "Why do you act like a genius?"  Don Jose's reply was short and simple:  "I am not a genius as a manager, but I have the potential to become one."

Only time will tell if fortune smiles upon Mourinho at Real.  But one thing is certain:  his career with the team will not be a long one - Mourinho does not like to linger, even with winning teams.