Life’s a Pitch: “Mourinho clearly wants the Man Utd job”

One football match in the past week has probably created more talking points than all the others put together. Manchester United’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid had pretty much everything: drama, controversy, individual brilliance, goals, a sending off, joy and heartache.

Another quality also on display was posturing, as José Mourinho gave his most public display yet of his eagerness to take over as Man Utd manager: the pre-match flattery of his opponents, the post-match comment that the best team lost.

According to Life’s a Pitch pundit Martin Lipton, Mourinho was on his best behaviour, trying to convince the Old Trafford hierarchy that he can be trusted to avoid controversy. Jason Burt was also adamant that the Portuguese clearly wants the job. The problem, Jason added, is that he also wants the Paris Saint German and Chelsea jobs as he positions himself to choose from the best opportunities available to him this summer.

The way he capitalised on Nani’s second-half red card to quickly turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 lead was evidence enough why Europe’s top clubs would want a master tactician such as Mourinho managing their club, added John Cross.

While Sir Alex Ferguson still has the league title and the FA Cup to contest this season, the best Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers can realistically hope for is a Europa League spot. But as Scott Murray explains, this will give him a great opportunity to fine-tune his charges during competitive action ahead of next season.

Another manager who will need to produce the goods next season is Nottingham Forest’s Billy Davies, in his second stint at the Championship side. As the Life’s a Pitch pundits point out, he has more control this time and, if he fails to make a success of things, he’ll have no excuses.

Success is something that has been in short supply at Arsenal in recent seasons, which prompted Nick Miller to wonder whether the Gunners would have to hit rock bottom before real change occurs at the club. And if they did decide to make some changes, they need look no further than their Champions League opponents Bayern Munich for a model of success without breaking the bank, according to Andy Brassell.

Elsewhere, we run the rule over the best transfer rumours and find out why Martin Lipton thinks Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has probably never been happier.

Expert video pundits

“Mourinho clearly wants the Man Utd job”

Not only did José Mourinho get one over on Sir Alex Ferguson this week, he also gave the clearest sign yet that he wants his job, reckon the Life’s a Pitch team.
On the lookout >

“Billy Davies has no excuses if he fails at Forest”

Nottingham Forest need an upturn in fortunes, but is returning gaffer Billy Davies the man to provide it? The Life’s a Pitch experts take a look.
No pressure >

“This is the best squad Tottenham have ever had”

Ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Tottenham, would the hosts end the season with north London bragging rights? Martin Lipton certainly thought so.
The best ever >

Ogbonna to Arsenal, Reds eye Ben Arfa, Rodríguez-Nani swap?

Big money will be splashed out by the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd this summer, but are they chasing this trio? The Life’s a Pitch team discuss.
Transfer talk >

Lively opinion blogs

Fruitless campaign gives Rodgers chance to fine-tune Reds

With silverware and the top four now out of reach, Brendan Rodgers has the perfect opportunity to refine his squad ahead of next season, says Scott Murray.
Fine-tuning >

Bayern show Arsenal another way

Andy Brassell suggests Arsenal need look no further than Champions League opponents Bayern Munich for an example of how to be both successful and sustainable.
Successful and sustainable >

Dawson: the man behind London’s top team

Mike Calvin underlines the importance of the previously out-of-favour Michael Dawson to Tottenham’s Champions League aspirations.
The main man >

Must Arsenal hit rock bottom before real change occurs?

Nick Miller wonders just how bad things need to get at Arsenal before wholesale changes take place to return the team to glory.
How low can you go? >

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