Can Jose Mourinho bring success back to Chelsea?

Almost like something from a novel, the long-awaited return of Jose Mourinho to Chelsea was completed this summer; but we ask if the Portuguese coach will bring back the glory times to Stamford Bridge.

"The Special One", "The Happy One" or "The Cocky One"; whether your love him or hate him the vast majority of Premier League fans will be delighted to see Mourinho back in England.


Like some romantic love story, Mourinho took just two minutes to agree terms with Chelsea director and owners when he penned his contract with the Blues. The Portuguese coach left Stamford Bridge in somewhat acrimonius circumstances in 2007, despite having guided the Blues to two Premier League titles in three years. Mourinho brought the glory times to Stamford Bridge. If you look at this managerial record over the course of those three years, during 185 games his beloved Blues lost just 21 times. His record speaks volumes, no wonder he is so well loved at Chelsea.


He returns to the Bridge with a point to prove. Yes, Mourinho was wholly successful whilst he was in charge at Inter Milan, having guided the Italian side to the Champions League title during his short two year spell there. Things then looked to be following that same successful route when he took charge in Spain with Real Madrid. Despite the growing dominance of Barcelona, Mourinho wrestled the La Liga title away from the Catalonian side. Things just didn't go well for Mourinho last year, when Barca won it back. 


"The Special One" fell out with reporters, players and fans even though he had won the Liga title in the season before that. Yes, relationships in football tend to strain a lot quicker in Spain, but Mourinho tried too hard to prove his doubters wrong. It all started with the high profile dropping to the bench of club captain and legend Iker Casillas. The fans questioned his decision making then, and at the end of the season he would finally be ousted by president Florentino Perez.


The question is, will the self titled "Happy One" bring the good times back to the Blues. Manchester City have enjoyed a few successful seasons whilst David Moyes will be eager to keep up the good work of Sir Alex Ferguson's United last year. Arsenal are also set to bring in some very big signings this summer, expect them to have a say in the league title race. 


One thing that's different this time around for Mourinho, is that the core of his team is ageing. Frank Lampard and John Terry are in the twilight of their careers, whilst Fernando Torres who is arguably the best striker at the Bridge, has failed to live up to expectations since his move from Liverpool. Then the Blues have a whole host of attacking players, but the club has so far failde to find the right balance between them all. When you look at a squad that contains the likes of Eden Hazard, Victor Moses, Oscar, Marko Marin, Juan Mata and now Andre Schurrle, you wonder if Chelsea's true problem in the league last year was that they struggled to keep the same forwards in the team for longer than two games.


Mourinho needs to chop and change. He will be given the money to spend, he will be given the full faith of Roman Abramovich and Ron Gourlay to bring the league title back to the club.


If Chelsea are to rekindle the glory years of Mourinho, they will need to give him time and trust; something that upper management at the Blues has always failed to offer.