Every League Finish of José Mourinho's Second Season in Charge of a Club
By Ross Jackson
The term 'second season syndrome' is usually associated with the downfall of a team following an unexpectedly successful campaign. However, José Mourinho likes to do things a little bit differently (obviously) and the Portuguese tactician is redefining the phrase.
The Tottenham boss has enjoyed a glittering coaching career since being handed his first managerial role at Benfica in September 2000 - notching no fewer than eight league titles - yet his second season at his various employers has proven to be particularly fruitful.
With the former Real Madrid boss embarking on his second campaign at the helm of Spurs and the current Premier League season shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable ever, many are beginning to question, could he really be set to do it again?
So without further ado, let's take a trip down memory lane and remind ourselves of every league finish achieved during Mourinho's second season in charge of a club.
1. Porto (2003/04)
Final League Position: 1st
Mourinho's first two jobs in management saw him fail to even reach a second season in charge, with the Portuguese boss resigning from his post at Benfica after less than three months before going on to spend just six months with fellow Primeira Liga outfit União de Leiria.
His 18-month spell with Porto was where he really made a name for himself, notching back-to-back league titles. Porto would concede just 19 league goals in Mourinho's second season at the club as they raced to top-flight glory, securing Champions League triumph along the way.
And so the second season magician was born.
2. Chelsea (2005/06)
Final League Position: 1st
When you ask any football fan to recall Mourinho's first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, most will reminisce of the imperious 2004/05 side as the Blues finally broke their 50-year league title hoodoo - but the 2005/06 side wasn't too bad either.
Chelsea would yet again cruise to Premier League glory, conceding just 22 goals along the way as they topped the table with Manchester United a distant eight points back in second.
By this point Mourinho had won the league in every one of the four seasons he had ended at the helm of a club. Easy this management lark, eh?
3. Inter (2009/10)
Final League Position: 1st
By the time Mourinho graced Serie A with his presence the league was far from the powerhouse it had been in years gone by - but that's not to say it wasn't still extremely competitive.
His Inter side were pushed all the way in his second season at the club, with Claudio Ranieri's Roma taking the title race right down to the final game of the season, only for the wily Portuguese tactician to yet again prevail as the Nerazzurri secured yet another Scudetto.
Oh and Inter won the Champions League too, little footnote there.
4. Real Madrid (2011/12)
Final League Position: 1st
Mourinho's time in Spain wasn't wholly successful, with swathes of the city's media hounding him throughout his time in the capital. Nevertheless. that didn't stop him doing what he does best.
Having narrowly missed out on La Liga glory to a Barcelona side widely acknowledged as one of the greatest club sides ever seen, Mourinho would have the last laugh in season two at the Santiago Bernabeu, as his Real Madrid team notched an incredible 100 points to secure the league title.
5. Chelsea (2014/15)
Final League Position: 1st
Chelsea part two.
Having made his return to the Premier League in 2013, Mourinho secured a solid third place-finish in his first season as he took stock of his squad and evaluated where they needed reinforcements.
It was clear the Blues needed to add creativity and goals, with only Eden Hazard notching double figures in the league, so Mourinho went out and bought Cesc Fàbregas and Diego Costa, and Chelsea won the league.
Football's a simple game at times y'know?
6. Manchester United (2017/18)
Final League Position: 2nd
HE BOTTLED IT!
Alright that's a complete lie, he didn't bottle it at all, but nice to see even the Special One doesn't get it right every time.
In truth Mourinho's achievement of finishing second with a frankly average United squad is pretty damn impressive, with even the man himself going on to describe the feat as being his greatest in management.
Finishing six points ahead of a Liverpool team who would record 97 points the following season while United dropped to sixth in the league following his midseason departure tells you just about everything you need to know.
7. Tottenham (2020/21)
Final League Position: ?
Could he? Surely he won't? Might he?
Say what you like about him, after reading this list even the most ardent Arsenal fan would struggle to say with confidence that Mourinho's not going to clinch the title in his second season with Spurs.
With Harry Kane and Son Heung-min firing on all cylinders, who's to say they can't win the league? There isn't a club in the land you could comfortably back this season, and with a strike force as lethal as Spurs' they've got every chance.