Richard Fleming: Is the ‘Special One’ becoming ordinary?

The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ is fast becoming ‘nothing special’, while arguably stepping over lines of acceptability.

I’m referring to the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, of course.

Mourinho started out as an interpreter for the late Sir Bobby Robson, when the former England manager was in charge at Sporting Lisbon and then Porto. Even when a successful manager in his own right, Mourinho would still refer to Robson as ‘Mr. Robson’ out of respect.

When he first arrived in English soccer, the media and general sporting public, viewed him as a breath of fresh air, a young up-start seemingly ready and able to give Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson as good as he got when it came to mind games.

Sadly, he has taken both himself and the need for denigrating others far too seriously. I think we’ve grown used to – and bored of – his verbal jibes at other managers, most notably the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger.

His inability to stomach anything less than the best has got him to where he is, and brought him – and the teams under his command – much success.

But at what cost to the spirit of the sport? On the surface. soccer is sexy and successful, but you don’t have to venture down too far to find an under-belly which is discolored and disfigured.

Reports are now circulating of a complaint that Mourinho used abusive or sexist language towards team doctor Eva Carneiro. Ms. Carneiro has not worked since being criticized by Mourinho for tending to injured player Eden Hazard during a Premier League game against Swansea on August 8.

The Football Association is studying video evidence, provided by a member of the public. Innocent until proven otherwise on this particular score, Mourinho’s reputation still plummeted in the eyes of many for his handling of that situation.

I’ll hold my hand up here and admit to having followed Chelsea much of my life. My father took me to my first match at Stamford Bridge as an 8-year-old in November 1979 for a match against Charlton Athletic.

They were a club built on 60s style and swagger, without much substance. But that’s what made them fun. My father would tell me of players such as Peter Osgood and Charlie Cooke. I grew up watching Ray Wilkins and the man-mountain Micky Droy, followed by Kerry Dixon, Pat Nevin and Nigel Spackman.

The side fluctuated between divisions, occasionally have a decent league cup run. They won the much-maligned (and rightly so) Full Members Cup in 1986, defeating Manchester City. It was a far cry from the European silverware being scooped by the likes of Liverpool and Everton at the time, but it meant a Wembley final, and a rare moment in the spotlight.

I saw an article on social media recently, which had the headline ‘Remember when Chelsea really were rubbish?‘, with reference to the team from 1986. I agree, they weren’t blessed with superstars. The stadium was rundown, and the Chelsea boot-boys were a horrible lot, but the club itself (outside of chairman Ken Bates) was far more grounded than it is today.

Fast-forward 30 years and the sport has obviously changed, almost beyond recognition. Soccer, like so many other leading sports, has become a multi-million dollar business, where ‘global-brand’ is the buzz word and success is demanded daily.

This isn’t some seasoned soccer-supporting journalist craving for the ‘good ol’ days’, because the product we now boast is far better than that on show in the 1970s and 80s. But the desperate, rabid desire for unbridled success has brought with it an unpleasant edge.

We have normalized the unsavory comments exchanged between grown men who ought to know better. If truth be known, the disparaging remarks made by managers about one another is a bit old hat. What they throw back and forth is their concern.

But Mourinho went too far in his behavior toward a member of his medical staff. Chelsea, as a club, has slipped in my estimations. It certainly lacks class.

I truly hope we get to the bottom of it all and that the Premier League champions are made to acknowledge their mistake in the handling of this sorry affair.

“Winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.” – a quote attributed to UCLA (American) football coach, Red Saunders.

Sadly, unless the likes of Mourinho are held in check, soccer could be heading along this path, where the ruthless search for success comes at the expense of respect, courtesy and basic decency.

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