How ‘The Special One’ Mourinho transformed Chelsea into an elite team
Before the arrival of Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich as owner in 2003, Chelsea Football Club were little more than a strong cup team.
The Blues had won just one English top-flight title in their history back in the 1954/55 season.
However, it was another arrival that transformed Chelsea into a genuine title challenger—the arrival of the ‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho as head coach in the summer of 2004.
A managerial star was rising at Porto
When Mourinho rocked up at Chelsea in 2004 and did that now-famous press conference (which we will get to later on), the Portuguese head coach was an up-and-coming young managerial rising star.
Mourinho had guided FC Porto to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles. However, his most impressive feat was taking the Portuguese giants to the 2004 Champions League crown against all odds.
His tactical acumen was on full display during his time with Porto. Some will argue that his team had a relatively easy run in the competition.
However, they faced Real Madrid in the group stages, and eliminated Manchester United in the last-16 of the competition.
It was that 3-2 aggregate victory over United that genuinely brought the Portuguese boss into the spotlight. The second leg at Old Trafford saw Porto score a 90th-minute winner through Costinha, which saw Mourinho run down the touchline in celebration.
The Champions League triumph raised his profile and led to Mourinho being linked with a move to several elite clubs.
Therefore, when he joined Chelsea in 2004, it was a coup by the Blues. However, just how much of a coup it was didn’t become apparent until the end of the 2004/05 campaign.
An incredible debut campaign at Chelsea
The Portuguese boss certainly had confidence in his ability to do the job. Upon joining the Blues at his arrival press conference, he said, “We have top players, and sorry if I’m arrogant, we have a top manager. Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion, and I think I’m a special one”
This led to members of the press nicknaming Mourinho ‘The Special One’, despite the fact that’s not exactly what he said.
As debut seasons go, Jose Mourinho’s at Stamford Bridge wasn’t too bad at all. In fact, it was an incredible first campaign in terms of breaking records and success. It seemed that his confidence was not misplaced, as the south west London club claimed the title.
The Blues picked up a then-record 95 points in the Premier League, having produced at both ends of the pitch.
Mourinho is sometimes considered a pragmatist, but his Blues team scored 72 goals that season. However, it was their defensive displays that were the most significant factor in their success under Mourinho.
The team from the English capital conceded just 15 goals in their 38 league matches, which is still a Premier League record to this date.
The last team to concede such few goals in the English top-flight was Preston North End’s ‘Invincibles’ in season 1888/89.
However, the north west outfit had only played 22 games in their record-breaking season.
The fact that Chelsea suffered just one league defeat also underlined how difficult it was to play against the Blues.
Chelsea’s recruitment played a key role in the successful campaign. The likes of Didier Drogba and Arjen Robben arrived at the club that summer from Marseille and PSV Eindhoven, respectively. Both turned out to be crucial players in the club for years to come.
However, it was the defensive signings that proved to be just as important, if not even more important. Czech goalkeeper Petr Cech joined the club from French outfit Rennes and went on to become a Chelsea and Premier League legend.
In defence, Mourinho raided his former club for centre-back Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira and signed a young Brazilian defender, Alex from Santos.
All three defenders, along with Cech, played a vital role in that outstanding defensive record. They also gave excellent service to the club beyond the campaign.
Mourinho wasn’t finished with just one Premier League title with Chelsea, though, as he repeated the feat the following season.
In his second stint with the club, the Portuguese boss guided the Blues to the title once again in 2015. The triumph meant that Mourinho has been responsible for half of Chelsea’s six top-flight English titles in their history.
Mourinho’s effect is arguably most significant at Chelsea
Although Jose Mourinho has achieved considerable success throughout his managerial career, his time with Chelsea may well prove to be the most significant.
Mourinho managed the likes of Inter and Real Madrid to glory, including domestic top-flight titles with both and the Champions League with Inter in 2010.
However, the pair were already giants of the European game, having won trophies at home and abroad over the years.
Although Chelsea had enjoyed cup success, Mourinho took the Blues to their first English title in half a century, which is a significant achievement.
The title, only their second in history, is also noteworthy. Chelsea would not have become a global force without Mourinho’s kick-starting the revolution.
He may have been heavily backed in the transfer market, but he got the best out of his players. He produced the tactics and man-management that broke Chelsea through that barrier of nearly men and cup specialists to bonafide title winners.
Everybody associated with the Blues owes Mourinho a debt of gratitude. However, some would argue that the Portuguese boss also owes the club for giving him the chance to manage in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Whichever argument you go with, there is no argument that Chelsea and Jose Mourinho came together at just the right time, which resulted in a spell in the club’s history that will never be forgotten.