WHO´S TRYING TO KILL MOURINHO? Remaining Suspects.


By dixon9
March 14 2007

PINI ZAHAVI Football super-agent. Brokered Chelsea’s principle player transfers and reported to be behind “Erikssongate” to replace Ranieri. The last deal for a player he was involved with was “Colegate” – almost 2 years ago. Ken Bates once described him as a "d**khead. Zahavi, at one time, had a lot of influence with Abramovich, although apparently is worming his way back in and is behind a move for another Israeli, Ben Haim. 

Zahavi, on the private jet, contracted Mossad to bump Mourinho off?  Too peripheral and his only concern would be transfer commissions. Not guilty.

 ANDRIY SHEVCHENKOSome of the press say that Shevchenko is being regarded as a “grass” by other Chelsea players, supposedly talking to Abramovich about his relationship with Mourinho – more reports said that Shevchenko wasn’t injured at all for the Wigan game, and in fact spent the whole match sat in the dressing room!  He has allegedly told a Russian website: "In light of recent events, I have certain misunderstandings on some issues with Jose Mourinho. I think that only the clubs top management is capable of resolving those issues."   Other reports have said that the Chelsea players feel Shevchenko is “a decent bloke” and are surprised at his humility.  According to one report, a Chelsea player said that Shevchenko appears insecure on the pitch as the Ukrainian constantly looks towards Mourinho and Clark on the bench for approval. Shevchenko, in the dressing room, with the........Nah! Too ridiculous to contemplate really!  Isn’t it???

THE MEDIA – BROADSHEETS, TABLOIDS, SKY...AND EVERYONE ELSE!The British media are probably the most tenacious and hypocritical in the world and have been after Mourinho virtually since day 1.  They have already claimed that Mourinho has sent his agent, Jorge Mendes, to confirm interest expressed from Real Madrid and Inter Milan.(for Real particularly, he would be the perfect anti-Barca hero).  Rupert Murdoch, in the press conference room, with the boomerang?  They want to bring him to near death but then resuscitate him again (some media are actually now rallying around him!) -  They need him – he is a media reporters dream come true.  Not guilty – but definitely manslaughter if Mourinho ends up leaving. JOSE MOURINHOCharismatic, dismissive, playful, serious, supremely methodical and thorough, determined, emotional and unemotional, intuitive…… Recently stated that he wasn’t going to be taken for a ride on transfer fees – that if selling clubs demanded ridiculous amounts then they would get short shrift and we wouldn’t buy anyone.  However, since then, the press has quoted Mourinho:  "I've identified the players that I want but they will not come. Its club reasons and I don't have to tell you why.”  Another “source” confirmed that new players are Mourinho´s choice, “Yes, that is certain now. They come from Jose and no one else.” On Abramovich picking players:  “He would never do this,” said Mourinho. “If he does this, it’s because he doesn’t trust the manager. If he doesn’t trust the manager, he has enough money to sack me”. “The day he doesn’t respect me, just give me the cheque and send me home.”   On leaving, BBC Radio 5 Live over the weekend: “I love Chelsea and if I love the club and the club loves me, there is a big chance I will stay for a long time,” he said and another source claimed: “Chelsea is not an easy place to work, but Jose is not afraid of these pressures - If they think he will run away, they don’t know him. If they think that with this pressure he will break, they are mistaken.”  His programme notes on Saturday included:  “Good afternoon. Are you up for the challenge of protecting our unbeaten home Premiership record, which has stood since we came together? “Are you ready to enjoy us playing with 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds and still be chasing prizes?”,” Are you up for the challenge of playing without the best goalkeeper in the world, the best central-defender in the world, without the best left-back in the world and still going for the Premiership title, the Carling Cup, the FA Cup, with the Champions League to look forward to?”, “Are you ready to dig in during our most difficult hour and support, support and support?”  Fighting talk or dig at the club?  Or both?  What is clear (whatever your opinion on Mourinho) is that no manager should be dictated to on signings – Ferguson nor Wegner wouldn’t stand for it, I’m sure. 

Mourinho, in the Manager’s office, hanging himself?  He’s considered leaving in the past and it’s clear he won’t stand for interference.  Clubs would kill their aunty Edie to have him, so work’s not a problem.  Or is this just Latin melodrama? Or Jose using the siege mentality again and taking pressure off the squad?  One Chelsea fan suggested that his current team talks may consist of buying the papers, putting them on the dressing room wall and retiring to have a coffee before the match.

 My Verdict?  There probably has been some “interference” from Arnesen and José has taken offence and made his feelings known to the club – however, it’s all blown up out of proportion.  Mourinho is miffed but is also taking advantage of the situation using a siege mentality for the players.  There is no transfer embargo and 1-2 players will be signed this month.  A few wins, a couple of signings and it’ll all blow over.  However, the air needs to be cleared for all concerned and roles within the club clearly defined.  Roman’s consultants are probably advising that Chelsea adopt a continental model structure within the club and part of this plan is to have some form of Director of Football as well as a coach – if that happens then it could all blow up again – and again, Kenyon will be scrabbling around, using his powers of diplomacy to keep Mourinho at the Bridge.  Then again, as I said before, I was never much good at Cluedo.

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