Real Madrid in need of repair post Mourinho

SundayEspanyol vs Barcelona 20:00 Malaga vs DeportivoValencia vs GranadaAthletic vs LevanteAtletico vs MallorcaGetafe vs RayoR Sociedad vs Real MadridBetis vs R ZaragozaOsasuna vs SevillaValladolid vs Celta VigoMADRID. Florentino Perez’s decision to hire Jose Mourinho to coach his beloved Real Madrid in 2010 was the fruit of the construction magnate’s obsession with winning the 10th European crown that has eluded the club since 2002.The bespectacled 66-year-old, who has splurged more than 400 million euros ($514 million) of the club’s money on players since returning to the presidency in 2009, was also desperate to end the domestic and European domination of Real’s bitter rivals Barcelona.With his repeated references to Mourinho being “the best coach in the world” during the controversial Portuguese’s presentation, it seemed that Perez, who is up for re-election this year, was digging himself a hole.And so it proved.Mourinho’s departure three years before his contract ends in 2016 comes at the end of a trophyless season he himself labelled a “disaster” and concludes a reign marked by division, conflict and controversy.The self-proclaimed special one’s major trophy haul of one La Liga title in 2012 - with a record points tally - and a King’s Cup the previous year is a poor one considering the immense resources at his disposal.But as Mourinho appears poised to return to Chelsea, it is not just the lack of success on the pitch that his successor - Paris St Germain’s Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti is widely tipped to take over - will need to reverse.They will inherit a squad reeling from the painful failure of their latest La Liga, Champions League and domestic Cup campaigns.One of the first tasks will be to reintegrate players like goalkeeper and club captain Iker Casillas and defender Pepe, who clashed with Mourinho and were sidelined, while attempting to prevent talent from jumping ship along with their former coach.The club’s demanding fans, who want to see entertaining football as well as titles, will swiftly need to be placated.Mourinho was being whistled by a significant section of the Bernabeu long before he benched club hero Casillas and his style of play did not sit well with many supporters.While Mourinho’s Real sides could be devastating on the counter attack, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Angel Di Maria surging forward at breathtaking speed, he was often accused of using negative tactics, particularly when the team were defending a lead.A typical example was Friday’s bitter King’s Cup final defeat to Atletico Madrid.After going 1-0 up, Real sat back instead of pushing for a second goal that might have killed off their city rivals and Atletico forced their way back into the game, going on to win 2-1 for their first success against Real in 14 years.Gentlemanly institutionThe damage Mourinho has inflicted on the image of a club which likes to see itself as a gentlemanly institution, magnanimous in victory as well as defeat, will also have to be addressed, according to marketing experts.Perez appointed Mourinho “sporting manager” as well as first-team coach, an unusual step for a club in Spain where a coach’s powers are typically more limited, and he was responsible for the development of the “soccer product”.A successful marketing strategy primarily requires success on the pitch but should also foster an image of the club that is acceptable to existing fans and will encourage more to invest their time and money.Mourinho appears to have failed on both counts and the list of controversial incidents during his three years in the Spanish capital is a lengthy one.They include sneaking up behind Tito Vilanova, then assistant Barca coach, during a brawl and poking a finger in his eye, repeated complaints about refereeing bias, ugly clashes with journalists and Real officials and dark hints that Barca get favourable treatment from governing body Uefa.His stint at Real hit a new low on Friday when he was sent from the bench during the second half of the Cup final for furiously berating the referee and refused to collect his loser’s award from the Spanish king.Ancelotti is a very different personality to the outspoken Mourinho and has an impressive record, winning the Champions League with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and losing to Liverpool in the 2005 final.However, he also has a reputation for fielding counter-attacking sides not immune to negativity and such tactics repeated in Madrid will not go down well with the Real faithful.But after the clashes and controversy of the Mourinho years, perhaps the understated and respectful Italian is just what Real need to restore calm and finally get their hands on the “decima”, or 10th European title.For his part, Perez is unlikely to be damaged too seriously by the failed Mourinho experiment. He is unlikely to be opposed at this summer’s election, guaranteeing another four-year term.