“I am European Champion, so I’m not one of the bottle, I think I am the Special One,” Jose Mourinho proclaimed in 2004 at his first Chelsea unveiling.
Ambitious, youthful, lavish and over-confident. Chelsea had found their man. He was a perfect fit winning two Premier League titles, two League cups and one FA Cup during his first stint. Untouchable he became.
Fast forward to Mourinho‘s second stint at Chelsea and the media and fans alike expected ‘The Special One 2.0’. Instead, they got a subdued and calmer ‘Happy One’.
The following season, the Premier League title and League Cup were won at a canter for Chelsea in 2014/15, with Mourinho reaffirming his legendary status at the Bridge.
Mourinho didn’t make it past December, for his confidence turned to doubt and his trust turned into ‘betrayal’. Chelsea had dismissed their most successful manager for the second time and the mood was toxic.
Euro 2016 gave Chelsea fans an opportunity to see their new head coach Antonio Conte manage his Italian side.
What they saw was a passionate and tactically astute footballing man; kicking and heading every ball. Here was an animated man who was deeply invested in the 90 minutes of the game. But, off the field, he was as calm and collected.
He demonstrated his English with an exclusive interview with the BBC. Then, Stamford Bridge saw his touchline exuberance first hand with the Italian embracing the fans as a late Diego Costa winner ensured the Italian his first three points against West Ham back in August.
The mood was lifting around the club but with sobering and humiliating defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal, the Italian saw enough and a perfect opportunity arose to install his philosophy.
With the re-signing of David Luiz and the additions of N’Golo Kante and Marcos Alonso, in came the 3-4-3. The team’s transition to the new formation is evidence of the professionalism once questioned in the squad. 25 goals scored, nine clean sheets, two goals conceded, 11 consecutive wins later, and the Chelsea of old are back.
The power of being top of the Premier League, comes with great responsibility, and that is to hold one’s tongue; for our Special One has turned sour. Once a man of confidence had turned senile and envious. He has witnessed Conte do what he did at Chelsea with ‘his‘ title-winning side but more effectively and silently better.
Sly digs at the performances or ‘lack of’ from Chelsea, regardless of their points accumulation. Mourinho is tarnishing his own reputation among Chelsea fans, which was not made easier with the 4-0 drubbing of his Manchester United side.
Conte‘s media duties is confirmation of the classy persona he carries himself in, with that the club’s reputation. He has breathed fire back into this once title-winning side and reassured the fans of “working every day to improve”. Conte‘s efforts mirror that of the loved Carlo Ancelotti. Like Ancelotti, Conte has carried himself in grace, shown himself a true gentleman and kept the club’s name out of the headlines.
No more cries of betrayal, no more accusations thrown at officials & no more howling for attention and appreciation; Conte has revolutionised Chelsea’s image that was once shrouded in controversy with Mourinho.
He has helped heal the wounds of a disappointing season and has gained the supporters’ trust in the team. Conte has directed criticism with work ethic and results, tamed Diego Costa and rejuvenated Eden Hazard. The Italian oozes quiet reassurance. The scenes at the end of the Sunderland and Crystal Palace games personifies Conte: embracing every player, dancing to his own song from the adoring travelling fans and lauding his team efforts in his post-match interviews.
Jose Mourinho will always have the respect he deserves from Chelsea fans, for he has etched his way into our history but the love is fading with every gibe he makes. The second dismissal of Mourinho had many fans, including myself, bellow that ‘the grass isn’t always greener!’ But it is, for ‘Antonio Conte, does it better, makes me happy, makes me feel this way!’
