It really couldn't have gone any better for Jose Mourinho this week. Having stated that he wishes to coach in either Italy or Spain next, Bernd Schuster and Carlo Ancelotti placed their heads fairly comfortably under the guillotine ready for the chop.

The two most successful teams of all time in the Champions League/European Cup are in a bit of mess. To their high, high standards, that is. Winning the league in Spain is simply not enough for Madrid, as previous managers have so ruthlessly found out.

Ancelotti saved his job by winning the Champions League last season while AC's housemates Inter were running away with Serie A. The ageing Milan squad were never going to pull it off a second time and it's the same story in the league, so it's time for sweeping changes for the Rossoneri.

'Mourinho could bring a renewed impetus to Italian football and it is badly needed there'


Real are a strange side under Schuster; his tactics on Wednesday were questionable and they were punished. It's only Barcelona's inconsistency in the league that is keeping them ahead.

Money to spend at either club would not pose any problems for Mourinho. I am a Jose fan; I think he is a superb man-manager and motivator. He proved beyond any doubt that he can galvanise a squad of highly-paid individuals, some of them prima donnas and some cry babies.

At Porto he had a very different job to do and again proved his talents to be second to none. His track record is incredible and I still find it utterly shocking that he and Chelsea parted company. We will never know the real story behind that.

Wherever he ends up, the club concerned will enjoy success. Always a man to do the opposite of what the general consensus seems to be, I wouldn't be surprised to see him choose Milan.

La Liga is of a very similar ilk to the Premier League and Mourinho would find a far more refreshing challenge in Serie A. It would also suit him in a tactical sense; however, with a strong whiff of backhanders and illegal goings-on still and always part of Italian society, he may want to avoid being associated with such shenanigans.

The Italian football federation would also welcome Mourinho and the media circus that will follow him. Although current World and European champions, the status and reputation of Italian football is in tatters due to reasons I don't need to go into.

Also, the focus of the world media is predominantly on the Premier League and La Liga. Mourinho could bring a renewed impetus to Italian football and it is badly needed there.

The passion, colour, excitement and controversy that surrounds the Special One is never one of danger or wrong-doing. This is a man, a very talented and enigmatic man, who needs to be propelled back into the forefront of world football. I think Milan will give him all he needs.