Jose Mourinho: the Special One or special once?

Jose Mourinho has always divided opinion.

When does confident become arrogant? Are his press conference barbs unmissable box office or melodramatic nonsense? Do the ends always justify the means for a serial winner with a list of bust-ups almost as long as his Wikipedia honours list?

Is Mourinho the Special One or special once?

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has presumably been seduced by Mourinho's win-at-all-costs mentality which has seen the former Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager bring trophies to every club where he has been in charge for at least a full season.

Dual Champions League holder Mourinho takes even the Community Shield seriously and that appetite for success no doubt appeals to a Spurs side who have not picked up any silverware since a 2008 League Cup victory under Juande Ramos.

Their last FA Cup triumph was in 1991, the last European trophy arrived in 1984 and the wait for the league title stretches back to 1961. If Mourinho can't bring back the glory days then who can? To dare is to Mou. Or something.

Jose Mourinho spent less than three seasons at Manchester UnitedCredit: Dan Istitene

Maybe the Spurs squad needed a jolt because on this season's evidence their run to the Champions League final was the beginning of the end for Mauricio Pochettino rather than a springboard to push on in their new stadium.

The squad had gone stale and although Pochettino definitely deserved the opportunity to rebuild, Levy decided, as is so often the case, to go for a complete opposite to the previous incumbent.

In desperate Dan's head it all makes perfect sense.

Spurs need to start winning and he has brought in the ultimate winner at a huge cost - Mourinho will apparently earn double Pochettino's salary to bring a bit of Hollywood to N17.

What's the name of that Amazon documentary detailing Tottenham's trial and tribulations this season? All or Nothing seems rather apt given Levy's gamble. When the fun stops, er, double the stakes.

But are Tottenham getting what they are paying for? Is this the same Mourinho they reportedly tried to tempt away from Porto in 2004 and then three years later when the Portuguese left Chelsea?

Spurs will be hoping it's third-time lucky, but the stats would say no way is Jose still dining at the top table of European football.

Mourinho started at Benfica where he was swiftly sacked after a political power struggle before punching well above his weight with minnows Uniao de Leiria which earned the jump up to Porto.

Success followed with domestic dominance as well as the Uefa Cup and Champions League and a league points return of 2.44 per game.

Records were smashed at Chelsea when Mourinho's ego was turned up to the max as the Blues cruised to the Premier League title and were equally rampant in defending the crown.

Jose Mourinho smashed records at ChelseaCredit: Clive Mason

Even when he didn't win the league, Mourinho collected the FA Cup and League Cup in 2007, only to be sacked in the September.

Mourinho won it all at Inter, including an historic treble which included a personal favourite moment of knocking Barcelona out of the Champions League semi-finals at Camp Nou before showcasing his talents to the Madrid masses in the Bernabeu final.

It was at Real Madrid where Mourinho's swagger went into hibernation.

He won trophies and had a points per game record of 2.42, cracking Pep Guardiola's brilliant Barca along the way, but he fell out with the media, most supporters and, more importantly, key squad personnel.

And that has been Mourinho in a snapshot for the best part of a decade.

He wins and leaves a trail of destruction in his wake. He lost the dressing-room on his return to Stamford Bridge and then again at Manchester United.

Only as Mourinho's career extends, the trophies become less significant and the fallouts more difficult to sweep under the carpet.

In his last two jobs he has failed to get above two points per game, although Mourinho has had few problems creating at least two rows per week with Eden Hazard and Paul Pogba among those to have seemingly downed tools.

Levy's fear should be that Mourinho is possibly yesterday's man, not at all suited to the somewhat softer dressing-room characters in the modern game and the more adventurous play which has engulfed the Champions League.

As most pundits celebrated Ajax's run to last season's semi-finals, attacking with gusto before losing to Spurs in that never-to-be-forgotten semi-final, Mourinho harshly said: "Ajax are going to watch the final on television... with their philosophy."

The Premier League's best two managers - Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp - do things very differently.

Guardiola is married to the process and philosophy, while Klopp's connection with his players is apparently limitless. They stick to their principles and the football is fun. Mourinho's is usually glum.

Winning at all costs is fine until you stop winning and then what have you got?

Levy will be hoping he doesn't get to find out.

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