The race to the bench: Guardiola takes Mourinho's pole (2)

The fact that a new Barcelona manager will only be appointed if the team does not win a trophy this season (read more here), is a clear disadvantage for former Chelsea manager José Mourinho (45). The Portuguese does not want to wait until mid-May with the risk to find himself at that moment in a situation in which Barcelona does win a trophy and goes on with current manager Frank Rijkaard (45) and in which all other European top clubs have already decided on their manager for next season. Meanwhile, Mourinho's constant flirts with other teams aren't doing his image any good either.

A second disadvantage is the fact that Mourinho seems to ask the total control over the sports department (including the youth academy and -most importantly- the transfer policy). Not only is this not usual in the club, it also would mean that Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain and people like unofficial external adviser Johan Cruijff would lose influence.

Another disadvantage for Mourinho is that he is seen as a result-driven manager, something that doesn't fit the beautiful-and-attacking-football tradition of Barcelona. President Joan Laporta said today on a meeting with the penyes that a manager who has another way of playing is not an option: "Those who are linking our club with managers who have a very different style are mistaken. No coach that has another way of playing will ever come here."

A last disadvantage is that, for different reasons, Mourinho would have to face fierce opposition from influent sectors within and around the club. Mourinho would not be able to work in peace and could soon come under fire of insiders, journalists and a part of the fans who did not forget about Mourinho's negative statements surrounding the recent Champions League ties between Barcelona and Chelsea.

Although the chances of Mourinho would have diminished in the last couple of weeks, the Barcelona board seems nevertheless still divided on the issue. Some board members are in favour of a radical change and think that Mourinho would be the one who is able to bring that change, both on and off the pitch. Economic vice-president Ferran Soriano and sports vice-president Marc Ingla would be the ones pushing most for Mourinho. Ingla met with Mourinho back in January (read more here) and got a very positive image about the manager.

(this is the second part of this contribution, the first part was published yesterday, the third part will be published tomorrow)