Jose Mourinho Could Prove his Critics Wrong at PSG

Some jokes are just too easy to make. Jose Mourinho as PSG manager? That would mean Neymar would have to get used to life as a left-back. Jose would be forced to explain to the media why he decided to substitute Julian Draxler for Thiago Motta in order to secure an unconvincing 1-0 win away to relegation threatened Guingamp.

Of course, this is looking at the possibilities through a very cynical lens.

Mourinho heads the betting to replace Unai Emery at the Parc Des Princes at . The club’s Qatari owners want to roll out the red carpet for a big-name manager to follow up the arrival of superstar Neymar. It’s all part of their plan to achieve success and worldwide recognition as a brand as well a successful football team. Like the Real Madrid ‘Galacticos’ team of the 2000s, but with more trophies and even more sex appeal.

PSG’s Qatari Owners Are Aiming Big

In terms of what the Qatari oligarchs are looking for in their new blockbuster boss, Mourinho ticks every box – well, almost every box. A marketable household name? Check. Experience and success in the top 5 European leagues and the Champions League? Check. Able to command respect from a dressing room brimming with ego? Check. Plays a recognisable and attractive style of football? That’s a sticking point. Guaranteed longevity? Another bone of contention.

On the first point – Mourinho would be quick to point out that his successful Real Madrid and Inter Milan teams mixed entertaining play with pragmatism. It’s also hard to imagine a team managed by Mourinho suffering an almighty collapse like PSG did in their 6-1 defeat to Barcelona last season.

Every yin has its yang – and if you were to point out the weaknesses in PSG, they would be a lack of defensive nous and poor discipline. These are traits that Mourinho could instill in them – as shown by his work at Man United.

FACT: @ManCity are the first English top-flight team to score 29 goals in first 8 league games of the season…since Everton in 1894/95. ?? pic.twitter.com/pB6NxObz3v

— S P O R F (At ?) (@Sporf) October 14, 2017

Mourinho Could Make UCL History

The 54-year-old would have only been in Manchester for two seasons if he did leave for Paris at the end of the current campaign. Some would say that he would be leaving with unfinished business. Especially as it is looking uncreasingly likely that the Red Devils will lose out to arch-rivals Manchester City in the Premier League title race. United are eight points behind the Citizens and are out to to win the league.

However, no manager has ever won the Champions League with three different clubs. Mourinho would write his name into history if he managed to achieve this feat.

With the three modern European ‘powerhouses’ – Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich – all seemingly in transitional phases, the door is open for PSG to launch a real assault on the competition. They have already broken the record for the number of goals scored by a single team in the Group Stages – with one game to spare. Unai Emery’s men have netted an impressive 24 times in just five outings.

PSG Are Almost The Finished Article

The attacking potential is clearly there. Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Edinson Cavani, Julian Draxler, Ángel Di María – the list goes on. Mourinho would have the funds to sign even more firepower if needed – Antoine Griezmann is the latest big name to be linked with a move to the French capital. A couple of defensive signings to solidify the team would give the Portuguese an enviable squad.

More than anything, for Mourinho, this would be a chance for him to silence his critics. In recent years, in particular since his return to the Premier League in 2013, pundits and fans alike have suggested that his methods which worked ten or so years ago are no longer as effective.

Many claim that coaches such as Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, Anonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri have adapted to the ways of the modern game much better than their Portuguese counterpart. The results of his teams against fellow top sides in the Premier League would seem to back up this theory.

Mourinho’s last 10 away games v the ‘big six’:

0-0
0-3
0-0
0-0
0-4
0-0
0-2
1-2
0-0
0-1

1️⃣ goal scored in 900+ minutes.

Grim.#CHEMUN pic.twitter.com/QZ4r5pmGph

— betvictor (@BetVictor) November 5, 2017

Shot At European Glory Too Good To Turn Down? 

Again, Mourinho would argue that he has not been fully backed, by neither Chelsea nor Manchester United since his return to England, to compete with his rivals. His frustrated pursuits of John Stones while he was at Chelsea, and Ivan Perisic during his time at United, would be cases in point. A rift with the Old Trafford hierarchy is the main reason why several sources believe he is unwilling to commit his long-term future to the club.

So, what has Mourinho got to lose by abandoning a long term project an Man United? Apart from personal objectives, not much. He has already won the Premier League – in two different eras. The challenge of making a nouveau riche side more than the sum of its parts and steering them to glory in the most prestigious of European club competitions is one which he should jump at.

Plus, if he did make the move to Ligue 1, we’d all love to see Mourinho and his good old friend Claudio Ranieri lock horns again.