Can Jose Trigger Serie A Revival? - Sunday, 8 June 2008

Is the fact that one of the most successful coaches of the past five years in Europe, other than Mancini, taking over at the same club he just left good news for Serie A and football fans across Europe? Yes and no.

Cast your mind back to 2004 - Mourinho arrived in England to a storm of publicity and rightly so. The then 41-year old former apprentice at Bobby Robson's Barcelona had taken a Porto team built on a relatively small budget and blown apart Europe, securing the European Cup in convincing fashion. Arsenal had just gone the entire season unbeaten, Man Utd were going through a period of restructure on the pitch and Chelsea, for all their millions, had still won nothing and the highly paid superstars in their squad were lacking leadership, discipline and unity. To cut a long story short, Mourinho came, he saw, he conquered. Bringing home the Premiership with resounding ease in both of his first two years, saddling the titles with FA Cup and Carling Cup glory, Mourinho took the Blues to a higher level, raising the club's expectations and ultimately sealing his own fate. Such was Roman Abramovich's desire for European conquest and Mourinho's well publicised frosty relationship with him, disappointments on the continent and losing out to Man Utd in the league ultimately saw Mourinho depart Stamford Bridge in September 2007.

His tempestuous outbursts aside, Mourinho not only transformed Chelsea, but also the Premier League. Granted, with a little help from some substantial and unparalleled financial backing, he introduced a new formula to the Premier League – win every game at all costs. Tactics may have been sterile and restrictive, but the Chelsea fans weren't complaining when the Portuguese's brand of efficient, effective football brought home success. His winning ethos forced the competition into a radical rethink. Manchester United were the first to respond, driving through to the Premier League title in 2007 and 2008 with free-flowing, entertaining football - Sir Alex's team with a new found grit and determination thanks in no small part to the power of Chelsea as newfound, credible title rivals. Arsenal have since transformed themselves into another free-flowing side worthy of domestic glory and only for a lack of experience did they drop out of last season's league race. Liverpool have spent heavily too and brought to the Premier League some of the worlds most exciting footballing talent in their bid to compete. All in all, the dominance of Mourinho's Chelsea may have sent fans and pundits to sleep, but out of that has emerged a highly competitive, rich league, arguably set up as the world's best at the moment.

And Serie A is waiting for the same wake-up call. Calciopoli, unsafe stands, fans rioting in the streets, police and fans killed in unfortunate clashes throughout the season. Italian football has taken a pounding in recent years and it can no longer be looked upon as Europe's best league. A distinct lack of competition, unsightly football and the biggest stars now plying their trade in Spain and England, the peninsula has been waiting for the kind of transformation the arrival of Mourinho could herald.

Inter Milan's appointment of Mourinho has ensured the Nerazzurri's status as strong title favourites for 2008/09 - it is now a case of whether the competition can raise their game and match them. Mourinho will guarantee a strong and relentless fight for Lo Scudetto - one that will need mental toughness, peak physical condition, steely grit and determination coupled with enough footballing talent on the pitch - should anyone wish to match them game for game. Milan is the team most will be expecting to mount a serious challenge this year, they have the mental robustness and experience and are spending the summer rebuilding the squad for the domestic scene.

Juventus, led by Chelsea's Mourinho predecessor Claudio Ranieri, may soon have the talent on the pitch to match Inter and the hunger to equal both the San Siro sides for glory, but the Bianconeri may come up short. Mentally weaker and led by a relatively inexperienced coach when it comes to winning a title, perhaps a change in coach would give the Old Lady their best chance.

Roma will also be looking to build on their recent improvements and mount another title challenge, but financially they are unable to match Inter's spending power and ultimately, should injuries play up for some of Roma's stars again, their resources may be pushed past breaking point.

The fact of the matter is that much like the Premiership of 2004, Serie A in 2008 is waiting for a major shake up in terms of how the game is approached tactically, mentally and professionally. Mourinho was one of the few managers available that was capable of implementing such radical change, but as special as he may be, he cannot do it alone. It took millions of pounds of investment combined with world-class tactical clout to match Mourinho in the Premier League and perhaps the lack of such a combination in Italy is the main concern for fans of sides other than Inter. Perhaps realistically it will be a few years before Inter led by Mourinho can be matched.

Jose Mourinho may have downgraded his status from "Special One" to just a "Great Coach" but should the competition fail to rise to the challenge brought by his Inter side, then the Nerazzurri can look forward to an extra star above their badge sooner rather than later. Serie A is facing its biggest challenge to once again prove to the world it is one of the most exhilarating and competitive leagues around and should Mourinho's inception spur the opposition into a fight we may see the beginning of an exciting era in the Italian game.

Rob Paton