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A Champions League triumph with Porto, Premier League success on his debut season in England, an Italian quadruple, Jose Mourinho is the self professed ‘Special One’ but if recent unfolding are anything to go by, the Portuguese is essentially the ‘Special Two’.

No single manager has mastered and perfected the art of success on the second season better than Jose Mourinho. What he discovered at Porto, practiced at Chelsea and perfected at Internazionale could very well be unfolding at Manchester United.

 

Porto

Although he clinched the UEFA Cup (present Europa League) against Celtic on his debut season at Porto, it was during the second season that Jose Mourinho stamped his authority around Europe.

The little known manager eliminated European powerhouses such as Lyon and Manchester United in the knockout stages of the Champions League, eventually guiding the Portuguese side to victory against Monaco in the 2003 Final.

The 2003/04 season also saw Porto clinch the Portuguese Super Cup and the Primeira Liga- all in his second season.

Jose likewise notably won back-to-back Premier League titles during his debut in England, but it was his second stint at Stamford Bridge that hallmarked his specialty on the second season as he guided the Blues to the domestic double of the League Cup and Premier League in 2015.

 

Inter Milan

Shortly after his departure from Chelsea, Jose Mourinho signed as the head coach for Inter Milan in 2008. He settled well in the Italian top division, winning the Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana on his maiden season despite falling under heavy criticism.

His second season was however the most illustrious in his trophy-laden career, as he guided Inter to clinch all four available trophies in a single season, including the Serie A and Champions League.

 

Man United?

An FA Cup triumph under Louis van Gaal was the only major silverware delivered to Old Trafford post-Fergie.

Jose Mourinho at his pantomime best settled underlying jitters by delivering the EFL Cup and Europa League on his first season as Manchester United manager.

While the silverware quenched the immediate thirst for success, Jose has slowly but assuredly been rebuilding United into a strong offensive and equally defensive side.

Having already delivered the League in Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid on his second season, the ‘Special Two’ could quite rightly bring an end to the four year wait for a Premier League title at Old Trafford.

 

Written by Brian Humphrey

Follow Brian on Twitter @brihum

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