OPINION: Though jobless, Jose Mourinho is still the best tactician alive.

Jose Mourinho the master tactician

Jose ‘’the special’’ Mourinho is that man who polarizes reactions. At one side of the gamut, we have players who are ready to work their fingers to the bone and give their all like Marco Materazzi, Didier Drogba or Zlatan Ibrahimovic. But at the same time, we have players such as Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Cesc Fabregas and or Eden Harzard who clearly did not be in unison when it comes to his methods.

Mourinho inspects a Chelsea warm up

Nevertheless, if there is one thing the whole world will concur upon, is the fact that Mourinho is a ‘serial’ winner. The ‘special man’ as he affectionately calls himself just knows how to carry a day and he is a man you would rather have on your side than in the opposition dugout. Mourinho has just make winning his mantra and so much believes in strategizing differently against oppositions to win rather than maintaining philosophies to play ‘sweet’ football to appease pundits and fans but at the long run loses vital points. Osportsgh take a look at two matches where Mourinho master planned a victory against all odds.

1.     Manchester United vs FC Porto -UCL

On one chilly night on the 9^th of March 2004, the world first started to take heed of Jose Mourinho as his companions of a knight in Porto caused a huge blow by kicking out their much-desired opponents Manchester United from the Champions League. Leading 2-1 from the first leg, Jose arrived at Old Trafford knowing that a delicate match awaited his side away from home.

FC Porto jubilates after securing a vital goal late in the game against united

Happenings got worse when Paul Scholes put United ahead in the first half. With Mourinho manically edging his men and pushing them as hard as he can  till the final seconds, Porto finally split open the United defence with an error from the then united goalkeeper Tim Howard, gifting Porto a last minute equaliser by Francisco Costinha  .The underdog Porto won 3-2 on aggregate and  went on to make history that season by winning the Champions League, but it all rolled for Mourinho and his players on that frosty night in Manchester as the world started to take notice of this truly “special” manager.

2.     Real Madrid vs Barcelona –Copa del Rey final

 Mourinho’s first silverware at Real Madrid was an indelible one as the Los Blancos outsmarted familiar foes Barcelona in a foul-ridden Copa Del Rey final in 2011 at a festive Mestalla stadium in Valencia. Starting Pepe in midfield alongside Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira proved to be a tactical masterclass as the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and David Villa were suffocated and asphyxiated throughout the match.

Immediately one of them get hold of the the ball, a Real duo would attempt to dispossess the ball either fairly or foully. This tactical approach made the Catalans look strained and increasingly forestalled. With the ‘wizard’ Messi being man-marked by at least two men whenever he received the ball, Barcelona ran out of options and found it extremely difficult to find any holes through Real waterproof defence.

The victory was Real's first over Barcelona since May 2008 and it meant that Jose Mourinho had won a trophy every year since 2003.

Ronaldo is join by team mates Arbeloa and Adebayor to celebrate only goal