The term ‘second season syndrome’ is commonly associated with the decline of a team after an unexpectedly successful campaign. However, José Mourinho likes to do things a little differently (obviously) and the Portuguese tactician is redefining the phrase.
The Tottenham boss has enjoyed an illustrious coaching career since being handed his first managerial role at Benfica in September 2000 – including no fewer than eight league titles – yet his second season at various employers has been particularly fruitful. It has been proven.
Mourinho holds up the Premier League trophy / ADRIAN DENNIS/Getty Images
The former Real Madrid boss began his second campaign with Spurs and after the current Premier League season has been one of the most unpredictable ever, many are beginning to question whether he can really do it again. Can be ready for?
So without further ado, let’s take a trip down memory lane and remind ourselves of every league finish Mourinho had during his second season in charge of the club.
Mourinho at Porto in 2004 / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Final League Position: 1st
Mourinho’s first two jobs in management saw him fail to reach a second season in charge, with the Portuguese boss spending just six months with fellow Primera Liga outfit União de Leiria before less than three months at Benfica. Resigned from his post.
It was his 18-month spell with Porto where he really made a name for himself, picking up back-to-back league titles. Porto would concede just 19 league goals in Mourinho’s second season at the club as they raced to top-flight honours, winning the Champions League along the way.
And so the wizard of the second season was born.
Mourinho celebrates his second Premier League crown / ODD Andersen/Getty Images
Final League Position: 1st
When you ask any football fan to recall Mourinho’s first spell at Stamford Bridge, most will recall the glorious 2004/05 side as the Blues finally broke their 50-year league title hoodoo. There was – but by 2005/06 it wasn’t either. Bad too
Chelsea will once again cruise to Premier League glory, with just 22 goals on the way leaving them level with Manchester United at the top of the table and eight points adrift in second place.
Up to that point Mourinho had won the league in each of the four seasons he had finished in charge of the club. This arrangement is easy, huh?
Mourinho enjoyed a wonderful spell in Italy with Inter / Sean Bottrell / Getty Images
Final League Position: 1st
By the time Mourinho graced Serie A with his presence the league was a far cry from the powerhouse it had been in years gone by – but that didn’t mean it wasn’t still highly competitive.
His second season at the club saw his Inter side pushed all the way, with Claudio Ranieri’s Roma winning the title race until the final game of the season, only for the Portuguese tactician to once again prevail when the Nerazzurri achieved another success. Scudetto.
Oh and Inter also won the Champions League, little footnote there.
Mourinho celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo/Jaime Reina/Getty Images.
Final League Position: 1st
Mourinho’s time in Spain was not entirely successful, with the city’s media following him throughout his time in the capital. Anyway. That hasn’t stopped him from doing what he does best.
After missing out on the La Liga title by Barcelona, recognized as one of the greatest club sides of all time, Mourinho will have the last laugh at the Santiago Bernabeu in season two, as his Real The Madrid team scored an incredible 100 points. League title
Mourinho celebrates his triumphant return at Stamford Bridge / Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
Final League Position: 1st
Chelsea part two.
After returning to the Premier League in 2013, Mourinho managed a solid third-place finish in his first season as he reviewed his squad and assessed where they needed reinforcements.
It was clear the Blues needed to add creativity and goals, with only Eden Hazard hitting double figures in the league, so Mourinho went out and bought Cesc Fàbregas and Diego Costa, and Chelsea won the league.
Sometimes football is a simple game you know?
Mourinho’s only second season without a league trophy came at United / Nathan Strick / Getty Images
Final League Position: 2nd
He bottled it!
Well that’s a total lie, he didn’t bottle it at all, but it’s nice to see that even the Special One doesn’t get it right every time.
Indeed, Mourinho’s feat of finishing second with the United squad is so impressive, even the man himself describes the feat as his greatest in management.
To finish six points ahead of a Liverpool side who will take a record 97 points next season while United have slipped to sixth in the league following his mid-season departure tells you all you need to know. need of
Is he going to do it again with the Spurs? / Clive Rose/Getty Images
Final League Position: ?
is he? Surely he wouldn’t? Can he?
Say what you like about it, after reading this list even the most ardent Arsenal fan will struggle to say with confidence that Mourinho won’t win the title in his second season with Spurs.
With Harry Kane and Son Heung-min firing on all cylinders, who’s to say they can’t win the league? There isn’t a club in this land that you can comfortably take back this season, and with a strike force as lethal as Spurs, they’ve got every chance.