What can José Mourinho bring to the Bernabéu?
José Mourinho has been linked with a sensational return to the Spanish capital following Real Madrid's exit from the Champions League this season.
The question that arises here is, what has José Mourinho got to offer Real Madrid after having left the club in 2013 in an utter turmoil?
Los Blancos finished second in the La Liga in 2013. They were finalists in the Copa del Rey and semi-finalists in the Champions League in 2013. Despite all this, the so-called "turmoil" found its roots in a total disagreement between Mourinho and his players as far as the modus operandi was concerned.
There is only so much that you can expect from a team whose coach tells the central defender "You will not attack" and the central defender responds "Why the hell not".
Which football player does not want to attack? Even goalkeepers nowadays play an integral role in the build-up to a counter-attack. There are so many goals in which goalkeepers are credited with an assist.
For crying out loud, this is Real Madrid. How can you expect a Real Madrid player to not attack when the club anthem itself says, "Ya ataca mi Madrid"?
Nobody in modern football likes confinement. Every player has his own strengths and weaknesses but no football player would ever want to remain confined to just one role.
Everyone wants a chance to score. Everyone wants a chance to assist. Everyone would like to defend and help their team keep a clean sheet.
Football has evolved into a far more dynamic sport than it ever was in the past. Football players too have adapted to the changing times as and when required.
For all the trophies that Mourinho's approach has fetched him throughout his career, there are times when you have to change yourself a little bit.
What does Florentino Perez expect Mourinho to achieve in the current season?
Does he want Mourinho to catch up to Barcelona in the La Liga? If not, then is he convinced that Santiago Solari will fail to qualify for the Champions League next season?
What is the logic behind this appointment at this stage of the season? One would wonder whether Florentino Perez himself could answer this question.