Was Mourinho a Success at Madrid?

By Robert Palmer

Jose Mourinho, undoubtedly one of the most successful managers in football history, took over Real Madrid in 2010 with high expectations. With a reputation for winning major trophies at every club he managed, including Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, many considered him to be the perfect man to lead Real Madrid to glory. But was Mourinho a success at Madrid?

First season at Madrid

Mourinho’s first season at Real Madrid saw him win the Copa del Rey, beating fierce rivals Barcelona in the final. However, Los Blancos were unable to win La Liga or the UEFA Champions League that season.

Success or failure?

Success. Winning any trophy is an achievement in itself and beating Barcelona in a final is always special for Real Madrid fans.

Second season at Madrid

In his second season, Mourinho led Real Madrid to their first La Liga title since 2008, finishing nine points ahead of Barcelona. However, they once again fell short in Europe, losing out to Bayern Munich on penalties in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Success. Winning La Liga was a huge achievement for Mourinho and his team, especially considering they finished nine points clear of arguably one of the best teams in football history – Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Third and final season at Madrid

Mourinho’s third and final season at Real Madrid was arguably his most controversial. Although he won another Copa del Rey title that season, he fell out with several key players including Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos. The team also failed to defend their La Liga title and were knocked out of the Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals.

Failure. Despite winning the Copa del Rey, Mourinho’s third season at Real Madrid was overshadowed by controversy and a lack of success in the league and Europe. His fallout with key players ultimately led to his departure from the club.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mourinho’s time at Real Madrid was a mixed bag. He won three major trophies in three seasons, including a La Liga title, but also fell short in Europe and had a controversial final season.

Overall, it’s difficult to label his tenure as either a success or a failure. However, one thing is for sure – Mourinho left a lasting impact on Real Madrid and their fans will always remember the moments of glory he brought to the club.