After falling to Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semifinals, Real Madrid coach José Mourinho alluded to the money he has generated with three straight semifinal appearances, according to Diego Torres of EL PAIS. Mourinho "perceives himself as something much bigger [than an ordinary coach]: an administrator, a strategic analyst, an immensely profitable creative for a football club." Upon feeling that the press had questioned his success, "instead of justifying himself with football arguments, or by listing titles, he exhibited something similar to an account balance." Mourinho: "Now, Madrid has recovered its position at the head of the Champions League with three consecutive semifinals. There have been three economically fantastic seasons for the club because it has earned a lot of money in the Champions League without having to pay extra because we haven't beat the competition. From this point of view of prestige, the team has recovered." Mourinho "who is paid to earn trophies, considered not having won the Champions League, his principal objective, to in some way be an economic success." The idea of Mourinho being thrifty "seems contradictory." In '10, Madrid had to compensate Inter with the biggest transfer fee ever paid for a coach, €18M. In total, "until now the Mourinho operation has cost more than €60M ($78.4)" (EL PAIS, 5/1).
MEETING IN THE MIDDLE: In London, Martin Lipton reported Mourinho has been told "he will have to accept working under Technical Director Michael Emenalo" if he wants to return to Chelsea. He "raised the hopes and expectations of the Blues fans that he was on his way 'home' as he spoke warmly of the enduring 'love' from the Chelsea faithful." But "while the 'Special One' and his advisors have been involved in negotiations with the Chelsea hierarchy for months, his initial demands for 'full control' have been rebuffed." That could still end up sending Mourinho "in the direction of Paris St. Germain, who have also held talks with his agent Jorge Mendes and are likely to bend over backwards to offer the 50-year-old a deal he wants" (DAILY MIRROR, 5/2).
