'WHY MOURINHO WILL BE REAL'S BIGGEST SIGNING FOR A DECADE' by chris mills

The term ‘big club’ is often over used in football these days. If you believed supporters and the media alone you’d be right in thinking that Grimsby Town were still a big club despite being relegated form the football league last season and that Sheffield Wednesday are once again gods of League One. However, both these underachieving ‘sleeping giants’ pale insignificant when compared to Real Madrid. In fact such a term was probably invented to describe the Spanish club.

However, despite their prestigious legacy in world football and near dominance in Spain throughout the 60’s, 80’s and 90’s, Madrid have failed to win the European cup for eight years. Add to this the fact they’ve only won the league title on three occasions in that time and the re-emergence of Barcelona, their bitter rivals, as one of the world’s strongest forces in club football and those eight years become all the more painful.

But don’t get them wrong, it hasn’t been through the want of trying. Real have thrown hundreds of millions at the cause, especially in recent years, with the arrival of big names such as Ronaldo, Kaka, Zidane, Figo and Beckham. But for all their class and attacking flare they’ve lacked something money can’t buy; a defensive grit and leadership. Something not traditionally synonymous with Spanish sides in general.

Never the less, this summer that could all change with the news that Madrid bosses have successfully negotiated their best bit of business in many-a-year which will, in terms of importance, surpass a deal for any player imaginable. Jose Mourinho has been lured to the Bernibia from Italian side Inter who, under the guidance of the self proclaimed ‘special one’ , have enjoyed their most successful season for some time; winning a treble which included the European Cup and a win over Real’s old nemesis Barca’. It could be the first of many.

Mourinho’s stock in club football is fast rising after now winning a league title in three different countries and European cups with two different sides. His success began with Porto, his first major managerial job, before moving to England and Chelsea where he won the league title two years running. Most recently he moved on to Inter Milan and within three years had also achieved glory in the league, cup and Europe. His unique brand of management style has been a hit with players, supporters and the media alike with tactical genius, managerial mind games and controversial outbursts common place.

One criticism aimed at Mourinho however is the style of football he tends to play, preferring to sit on a lead and defend than push on and score more goals. But it’s a debate that will split the table at any pub up and down the country. Would you prefer to draw 4-4 or win 1-0? And if it means Real Madrid regaining their European crown, it looks like they’re going to have to settle for the latter a little more than they're use to from now on.