Real Madrid News: Can Carlo Ancelotti Avoid the “Post-Mourinho” Curse?

Throughout his famous career, Jose Mourinho has frequently set lofty standards that his successors have seldom equalled. Rightly or wrongly, superstition plays a huge role in sport, and therefore, there are those curious to see whether Carlo Ancelotti will become the latest victim to suffer at the hands of the Post-Mourinho curse.

The Curse of the Bambino is possibly the most infamous sporting superstition and it centred around one of baseball’s greats—Babe Ruth. Having won three World Series’ in eight years for the Boston Red Sox, he transferred to a mediocre New York Yankees outfit in 1919, altering both clubs’ histories. Ruth won a further four World Series for the Yankees, and the Red Sox had to notoriously wait until the next century (2004) to return to the top table of baseball.

As for Mourinho, he set the wheels in motion for this mythical jinx whilst at Porto. In two years the Portistas won two league titles, a Portuguese Cup, the Europa League and the big one—the Champions League. In West London, Chelsea’s Russian Oligarch Roman Abramovich demanded deliverance of the mastermind behind Porto’s success.

The Special One joined forces and instantly produced the goods by winning Stamford Bridge’s first league title since black and white television sets were all the rage. In three seasons, Mourinho transformed the Blues from contenders to major achievers with five major trophies before his acrimonious departure.

Meanwhile, Porto’s first post-Mourinho season yielded 20 fewer points (62 vs 82) in the Primeira Liga and no major trophies. The change in management was a significant factor, as was the player exodus. Paulo Ferreira and Ricardo Carvalho joined their mentor in London whilst Deco, Porto’s chief playmaker, signed for Barcelona. Although losing Mourinho was undeniably a blow, selling three key players meant Porto endured a short period of transition (they then won the league four years in succession).

After full-English breakfasts had stopped on the menu, Mourinho decided he fancied some culture and promptly moved to Italy. Another two league titles were added to his repertoire in just two seasons at Internazionale. During his second season, the Portuguese further enhanced his already impressive CV with a second Champions League title, guiding the Nerazzurri to a historic treble in the process.

800 miles away and after interim head coach Gus Hiddink led Chelsea to a league runners-up position plus FA Cup glory, Carlo Ancelotti secured an unprecedented domestic double for the Blues and seemingly exercised Mourinho’s West London ghost in the process. During the preceding two seasons, Avram Grant and Phil Scolari tried and failed to replicate Chelsea’s new found success.

Much, if not all, of the blame lay with Abramovich. Spoilt by Mourinho’s instant success, Grant’s win record of 67 percent (equalling Mourinho’s) was not enough to earn a long-term contract, despite steering Chelsea to a maiden Champions League final appearance. Scolari was appointed the following summer and, after losing only five games from 38, the Brazilian was shown the door with three months of the season remaining.

Back at the San Siro and with another Champions League medal around his neck, Mourinho would move to Real Madrid—the world’s best coach at the helm of the world’s most glamorous club. Mourinho was treated like a galactico at first. Breaking up Barcelona's domination of Spain was a superb achievement in winning the 2011/12 La Liga title, but relations soured beyond repair
by the end of his third season and the two parties had little choice than to part company.

Inter also found life tough post-Mourinho, mainly due to poor decisions taken by the board. Fresh from winning the World Club Championship, Rafa Benitez was given his marching orders just halfway through the season, rather than be backed during the transfer window. Walter Mazzarrini is the current Inter manager—their fifth coach in three years. Stability.

While Mourinho was leaving Madrid with a whimper, Carlo Ancelotti was bidding Adieu to the Parisians by gleefully presenting the Ligue 1 trophy. Having overseen Paris Saint-Germain's new found resources, Ancelotti guided the Les Rouge-et-Bleu back to the summit of French football after a 19-year absence.

So, with the Italian taking over the reins at the Bernabeu, there are those who turn to superstition—the post-Mourinho curse. Will Ancelotti be the latest victim? Honestly, no, for three reasons.

First, unlike his previous employers, Mourinho did not leave Real on a high; second, Los Blancos have appointed a manager who is perhaps an even stronger candidate than his predecessor, and third, curses don't exist.

The danger for Ancelotti is simple—the long suffering Madridistas fans. Since Real's last Champions League triumph in 2002, Barca have won the grand old trophy three times (2006, 2009 and 2011), which is unacceptable in the Spanish capital. Ancelotti is under pressure to deliver, but it's not because of any superstition—it's because he is at Real Madrid.