London (AFP)

Provocative, megalomaniac, charismatic, arrogant, genius tactician with whom love usually does not last more than three years, Jose Mourinho returns to cultivate his legend in his favorite garden that is the Championship of England, this time in Tottenham.

August 2019, José Mourinho drops a tear. Eight months that the Portuguese no longer trains. Gray T-shirt, hair as much, bucolic park in the background, he confided in an interview, retirement is not for him: "I stopped and I can not rejoice.

Three months later, the call was finally heard in North London. With the Spurs, he goes back in the saddle after eleven months to turn in circles. It was definitely too much for the one who had never spent so much time without a club since his debut at the highest level with Porto in 2002.

Last March, he told AFP his goal: "I do not like to take over a club in January, February or March ... I want to find a club that motivates me to start the next season."

Nicknamed "The Special One" in 2004 on his arrival at Chelsea, would he become 56 years old "The Impatient One", deviating from this rule and diving during the season in a 14th Premier League club after twelve days?

- Hunt to the third C1 -

No doubt the attraction of the highest level, in which he has been swimming for so many years, was too strong. The Champions League? "I want to be!", He exclaimed in March. It is done, Tottenham being 2nd of his group of C1 after four matches.

After having climbed the roof of Europe with Porto (2004) and Inter Milan (2010), the hunt for his third Champions League is launched for this George Clooney football who saw his trophy cabinet fill up at As his hair grew gray.

Champion of Portugal in 2003 and 2004, triple champion of England with Chelsea (2005, 2006, 2015), double champion of Italy with Inter Milan (2009, 2010), champion of Spain with Real Madrid (2012) , not forgetting two C3s (UEFA Cup with Porto in 2003, Europa League with Manchester United in 2017) and a plethora of national cups.

The man of fiery character built fearsome and respected teams everywhere. Following a minimalist maxim but long effective: "The most important is the victory, regardless of how to get it".

But his aura was first eroded on the bench of Real, where he failed to conquer the "Decima" tenth Champions League in the history of the club. She collapsed in the second act in Chelsea, where for the first time she appeared overwhelmed by events, and did not rebuild at Manchester United (2016-2018).

- Guardiola, his nemesis -

In any case he will find in England one of his best enemies: Pep Guardiola, well anchored now in Manchester City. With the Catalan, during hot Madrid-Barcelona, ​​Mourinho had found his nemesis, diametrically opposite style, both in the personality and in the philosophy of play They will compete in the Premier League on February 1.

Beyond that, the question will be to see the impact of dynameur Mourinho on its workforce. For it must be recognized that the third fatal season syndrome has always struck the Portuguese, who never went beyond except briefly during his first visit to Chelsea (2004-September 2007).

Everywhere else, such as at Real (2010-2013), at his return to Chelsea (2013-December 2015), at Inter Milan (2008-2010), at FC Porto (2002-2004) or lately at Manchester United, he did not do more.

"Mourinho is crying his players after a year and a half, two years maximum," said Italy's Fabio Capello, former coach of England, at the time of his dismissal from Chelsea.

His slanted character earned him enmity with some of his players, as at Real Madrid where he put his cloakroom behind him, Cristiano Ronaldo in the lead, precipitating his departure.

Just like recently in Manchester United, where the stormy relations with some of his players, firstly Paul Pogba, have quickly started his credit with fans. His Heung-Min and Harry Kane are warned.

© 2019 AFP