Sometimes you wonder if Roman Abramovich is attempting to establish himself as the dictionary definition of the man who would not learn. Soon it will be five years since
[ Chelsea's ]
billionaire owner decided he had a better strategy for winning the Champions League than
[ Jose Mourinho ]
, and dismissed him. For Avram Grant.
Having ensured his place in history as the genius who paid the best coach around not to manage his club, Abramovich watched Mourinho collect two Serie A titles, one Italian Cup, and a Champions League at Inter Milan, then systematically disassemble Barcelona's hegemony of Spanish football at
[ Real Madrid ]
while he busied himself doing away with one Chelsea successor after another. The message should have been clear.
So when the Russian decided to investigate the possibility of bringing his Special One back to Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago, how to go about it? By picking up the phone to a man he soon re-established friendly terms with after that September 2007 dismissal?
No. Abramovich is said to have had his personal assistant call Mourinho's representatives and set out conditions for a repeat betrothal.
What Marina Granavoskaia, a key conduit for the owner's wishes around Chelsea these day, included in the discussion was so naive as to be laughable.
If Mourinho wished to return to Chelsea he would have to part company with Silvino Louro, the skilled and charismatic goalkeeping coach who has been an integral part of his technical staff since Porto. The reason? Petr Cech worked with his own specialist coach, and that would not change.
The conversation might as well have ended there. Mourinho loved his time at Chelsea, regards the Champions League trophy that eluded him there as unfinished business, and is confident he could win it for them. A return, however, could only be on his own terms.
To deliver serious silverware, Mourinho wanted the same conditions he had battled to establish at Inter and Real Madrid. Control of all important aspects of the football department - recruitment policy, management of players and media, establishing an ideal environment in which to train and prepare.
By asking that the Portuguese dispense with a trusted friend, by instructing his PA to open negotiations, Abramovich told Mourinho everything he needed to know. The Russian still hasn't learnt. And Chelsea will carry on with their own special chaos until he does.
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