He's back: bigger, bolder and - in his own mind at least - better than ever, but when will Jose come back for good?

By Martin Lipton in

Published 11:50 16/03/10

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He's back. Bigger, bolder and - in his own mind at least - better than ever.

For all the efforts of Carlo Ancelotti to paint it otherwise, tonight is not about Chelsea versus Inter Milan, not about two clubs desperate to finally end their years of European under-achievement.

It is about HIM.

The Special One.

Jose.

And you know he will relish every single second of it.

Last night, as Mourinho entered Stamford Bridge, calling in on the office staff who still swoon when they see him, before making his way to the Centenary Hall for his pre-match briefing, there was no questioning who was the biggest draw in town.

Ancelotti might be a decent seller, but compared to Mourinho he is not box office. And the Portuguese knows that better than anyone.

Unshaven, spoiling for a fight with the Italian press who are, quite clearly, out to get him, it was clear that Mourinho felt he had landed back in his comfort zone.

It was, by some distance, the longest press conference he had given in England since his arrival at Chelsea back in 2004, some 45 minutes of questions and answers, with Mourinho switching from laughs and smiles at his English inquisitors to scowls at the representatives of Gazzetta della Sport and the Corriere della Sera.

But it was captivating and spellbinding, a reminder of the Mourinho who first came to England, not the partially broken, bitter and resentful version who went 12 rounds with Abramovich and his entourage over the best part of a year.

This time, there was no mention of omelettes and eggs, the crack that finally forced his exit in September 2007, that was a gibe too far. Instead, when reminded, Mourinho declined the opportunity to declare himself the best chef, suggesting Ancelotti was a pretty dab hand in the kitchen as well.

For Mourinho, despite all the claims of having nothing to prove, of having great relationships with the Chelsea board, it was still an opportunity to drop his hand grenade, by telling Roman Abramovich and Co they should never have let him go.

I should still be Chelsea boss says Mourinho  

That, as Mourinho knows, taps into the mindset of many of the Chelsea fans who will arrive at the Bridge tonight suffering the ultimate in mixed emotions, desperate to finally pay tribute to their lost love, aware that it is he who now stands between the Blues and their dreams of Champions League glory.

Mourinho wants his presence to get into the hearts and heads of Ancelotti's side, to make his point in the only way that will really hit the Chelsea board where it hurts - by booting them out of Europe.

In his heart of hearts, Mourinho knows that it will probably need psychology to win the tie as well.

Man for man, even with Chelsea lacking Peter Cech and Ashley Cole, Inter are markedly inferior.

They were in the first leg, irrespective of the scoreline. With better refereeing and a modicum of good fortune, Chelsea would have returned to London with the tie firmly in their grasp.

Statistically, at least, they remain with the advantage. Since the last 16 stage was introduced in 2003-04, 10 teams have lost the away leg 2-1. Six of them have gone through, including Arsenal last week.

But Mourinho first came into the consciousness of the nation when he guided Porto to one of the exceptions at Old Trafford, Costinha's late goal sparking that sprint down the touchline, open coat flapping as the manager celebrated with his players.

And of course, as Mourinho pointed out, he does not lose at Stamford Bridge.

In his tally of 92 home matches at the Chelsea helm, he lost - penalties in the Carling Cup do not count - just once, the 2-1 reverse against Barcelona in 2006.

No wonder he could call the Bridge "home" and that record, that knowledge, is something Ancelotti's side have to conquer.

He will be there, visible, in eye-shot, throughout most of this evening's game, especially if things start to go Inter's way. That will be part of the mind-games.

Ancelotti knows that if it goes wrong for him, Mourinho will lap it up, will probably look to stir the pot of resentment, to really see if he can kickstart a backlash.

At the same time, after dropping Mario Balotelli following a training ground flare-up, defeat will see the full weight of the Italian media descend on Mourinho, a pack of hounds keen to tar him limb from limb.

Mourinho looked like a man who is pining for a return to England. Beat Chelsea, and his price goes up. Lose, and he will potentially be available by the weekend.

But there is no question that he will be back. It is only one of whether he will opt to go to Real Madrid first. Last night, he seemed ready for his homecoming. And, of course, his close up.

Mourinho is back: 10 things we've missed about The Special One

Will Mourinho or Ancelotti triumph in the battle of the Bridge? Have your say  

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