Mourinho has painted himself into the bluest of corners

Michael Essien's 30th birthday party last December was just further confirmation for Jose Mourinho of what he knew already.

That his Real Madrid squad was a gathering of egoistical Galacticos more interested in themselves than the team.
For the on-loan Chelsea star invited all his Madrid colleagues to his birthday bash but only a handful of them turned up. And it was left to the Bernabeu boss to console his upset player.


He told the Ghana international that it was nothing personal - it was not that his team-mates did not like him and, sadly, it was not because they had anything better to do.
It was simply because they were more interested in themselves than anything or anyone else.

A superstar ego to go with their superstar talents. Mourinho was speaking from bitter experience because he had come up again it himself.
Players believing they were bigger than their coach, maybe even bigger than the club.
And Mourinho had to try to counter that attitude from day one.
Essien's birthday snub was not the incident that convinced Mourinho he had to leave Lo Blancos. He had already made his mind up by then.

It was just the perfect example of the flawed philosophy that festered within the dressing room.
The scars of the Essien episode were still raw in January when I flew out to visit Jose at Madrid's training complex close to the City's airport.
At the end of the tour of the state-of-the-art facilities I remarked: "It's magnificent, you've go everything here!" The reply, from a very senior member of the staff, was swift and telling: "Everything but team spirit!"

And then I was told the story of Essien's birthday.
Later, as I sat with Jose in his office, laughing and chatting about old times, I realized his days with Madrid were definitely numbered.
He admitted he could be sacked if he did no beat Real Sociedad that weekend.
But he told me, in confidence, that he was almost certainly going to quit in the summer anyway.  And now he has told the world!

I believe his mind has been made up for months. He is now convinced that Real Madrid is not the club for himself and never was. So after the Copa del Rey final on May 17 he will sit down and tell Real Madrid president Florentino Perez that he wants to quit the Bernabeu.

For the Portuguese coach has had enough of being hated, had his fill of in-fighting, had a bellyfull of battling against all the negativity and vested interest in the Spanish capital.
So often Mourinho has thrived on controversy and confrontation. But in the past it has always involved opponents and the media.

A Madrid it has been a civil war within the club. The tight, unwavering team spirit he forged at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan has never been repeated at Madrid. The opposite more like.
Mourinho is convinced leaks to the Press revealing clashes with Iker Casilla, Sergio Ramos and even Cristiano Ronaldo were from players trying to undermine him. This summer they will get their wish. He will be gone and there will be queue of clubs hoping to persuade Mourinho to join them.

He has already been linked with Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.
He would also consider Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool if there were vacancies.

But the Special One still has a special place in his heart for one club - his beloved Blues.
He wants to go home, to a place where he is loved and to the one club where is loved most of all. And he says he does not even want a pay rise!

As negotiating scenarios go it is a disaster - he has painted himself the bluest of corners. But Mourinho does not care. He is 50 now and sees life differently and not just because he now has to wear spectacles to read. He has triumphed in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain - making history in every country. Every footballing ambition has been fulfilled and now he has a new one.

To settle down and build a dynasty, just like his close friend Alex Ferguson at Manchester United. And where else but the place where he enjoyed his football so much?
Roman Abramovich's attitude is far more difficult to read. But, ultimately, there is a nightmare scenario for the Chelsea owner.
Imagine rejecting Mourinho in favour of Manuel Pellegrini for instance. And then seeing the Special One work his magic yet again at a rival club - this time in the Premier League, maybe even just across town.

Abramovich has spent six years and millions trying to find a better manager than Mourinho.
He has failed. So surely it is time to kiss and make up, isn't it?