On Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho was standing in a corridor at Anfield the other day, reflecting on yet another Chelsea victory. Articulate and thoughtful, Mourinho paused only to trade warm banter with the players, Liverpool's as well as Chelsea's, as they finally emerged from their respective dressing rooms slick-haired and slicker-suited. Their eyes lit up when they saw Mourinho.

This was a brief but revealing insight into why the young Portuguese has become the crown prince of modern coaching. Not only did Sir Bobby Robson's former interpreter address most of the players in their native language but, when Liverpool players passed, he asked kindly after their own well-being and that of their offspring. As he chatted to Luis Garcia, the word 'nino' fell gently from Mourinho's lips. A feared psychological warrior? He sounded more like a proud grandfather avidly seeking the latest update of a child's progress. His knowledge of each player and their family was thoroughly impressive.

Here, then, was the New Cloughie, as some have been quick to label the confident, opinionated, trophy-winning motivational genius. The late, great Brian Clough understood that players excelled most when their human strengths and flaws were addressed. Cloughie sent flowers to players' wives, unexpected gestures that spread bonhomie through an employee's home. Mourinho, a similarly committed family man, displays equal interest in the individuals around him. It's simple but effective. Even stars appreciate the human touch.

Mourinho differs substantially from Clough, spending far more time on the training ground. He's also unlikely to lead his players on a relaxing little stroll through Amsterdam's Red Light district on the eve of a European Cup semi against Ajax as Cloughie once did with Nottingham Forest. But the appreciation of the importance of man-management, and mastery of this particular art, unites them.The previous incumbent at the Bridge, Claudio Ranieri, was also widely hailed as being popular with players, although such a sentiment could not be detected in the angry text-messages beep-beep-beeping out of Chelsea players' mobiles following the Tinkerman's tactical aberrations in Monaco in the first leg of last season's Champions League semi-final.

Mourinho enjoys Chelsea players' respect because of the meticulous way he prepares them and his clever substitutions as well as the shrewd way he treats them as individuals. This is a manager who leaves nothing to chance. He uses scouts, spies, the internet, anything to give him knowledge of what makes the enemy tick on the field of footballing battle, anything to give his own players an edge.
Ambitious men like John Terry and Frank Lampard love such attention to detail, particularly when delivered in simple parcels of information by an impressive Champions League-winning coach who has patently done his homework. Mourinho's tough streak also guarantees deference. His handling of the Adrian Mutu cocaine scandal may have appeared unsympathetic from the outside but was completely correct from Chelsea's perspective; through his unprofessional lifestyle, the Romanian striker indicated a lack of commitment to the team cause, something Mourinho will never tolerate in his players.

Yet those willing to learn and improve inevitably respond to Mourinho. His alchemist's touch was seen at Porto where, among others, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho and Deco all developed under his guidance, becoming champions of Europe and earning lucrative moves abroad. Huge wages undoubtedly helped lure Ferreira and Carvalho to the Bridge but each has voiced a desire to continue working under Mourinho.

Joe Cole reacted to some early-season criticism from Mourinho to produce more effective displays for Chelsea. Watching him talking personably to players at Anfield, and also noticing that high-five with Steven Gerrard as the coveted Liverpool midfielder ran from the field, Mourinho's deep admiration for such professionals was palpable. Like Arsene Wenger, Mourinho's own playing career was modest; perhaps an element of vicarious fulfilment, or simple respect, shapes his positive relationship with players. Whether instinctive or deliberate, his astute man-management makes Mourinho such a formidable manager