IT'S so convenient, it almost makes sense.
Jose Mourinho to Arsenal, Arsene Wenger to Real Madrid.
And that is despite Arsenal's 3-2 victory over Aston Villa yesterday, which, as all Gooners know, doesn't mean a great deal in the long term.
Mentioning the possibility the other day of Wenger's time at the Emirates perhaps coming to an end, the ugly mug at the top of this column received various communications along the lines of there not being anyone out there capable of filling the great man's boots.
My own musings on how Brendan Rodgers and Paul Lambert might be worthy of consideration were greeted, in some quarters, with huge amusement by fans doubting the duo's credentials (and my sanity).
They had obviously forgotten that George Graham arrived from Millwall and the old Second Division.
And Double-winning Bertie Mee from the physio's room.
They can't argue with Mourinho's pedigree, further enhanced by Madrid now being SEVEN points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
The way it's going, Mourinho could well become the first manager to win titles in England, Italy and Spain.
And yet it's increasingly likely he will leave the Spanish capital at the end of the season.
Some of his players have had enough of him, while Madrid fans have become disenchanted with some of his tactics — basically, his inability to confront Barcelona with any master plan other than to kick them to pieces.
In most other games, though, they have been outstanding — as 70 goals in their 20 matches to date suggests.
It is said that only a Champions League triumph can save Mourinho.
But even that wasn't enough to spare Jupp Heynckes, who left the club immediately after winning the European Cup in 1998.
His crime? Finishing fourth in the league.
Even Fabio Capello got the heave-ho for playing negative football as Madrid won the title in 2007.
Should Mourinho go, there could be no better replacement than Wenger, who has twice rebuffed the Spaniards' approach.
It would also be just what the Frenchman needs — an invigorating challenge after becoming a little jaded at Arsenal.
Madrid would be a tremendous opportunity to rekindle his unique coaching talents — and the icing on the cake of a long and illustrious career.
As a master of boardroom politics and a hugely respected figure in the world of football, Wenger would also smooth the troubled waters at the Bernabeu.
The only sticking point would be whether the staid, conservative Arsenal hierarchy are brave enough to employ Mourinho.
A headstrong, domineering character, he would also want assurances that he had money to spend.
Which is exactly what the side needs and what Arsenal fans have long demanded.
More important, though, is Mourinho's uncanny knack of winning trophies — a former quality of Wenger's that, sadly, is no longer apparent.
All round, the Portuguese man of war would not so much shake the club out of its lethargy as plant a bomb underneath it.
Should Mourinho leave Madrid, there will be an enormous scramble for his services, with Manchester City also interested should Roberto Mancini contrive to blow the title.
Yet the greatest threat to Arsenal could come from rivals Tottenham if Harry Redknapp goes on to succeed Capello as England boss.
Certainly, there are players at White Hart Lane, like Gareth Bale and Luka Modric, who Mourinho would love to manage.
It was always assumed he would follow Alex Ferguson in at Old Trafford.
But with the veteran Scot suggesting that he will continue in charge of Manchester United for a few more years yet, that door would appear to have closed.
So Mourinho for Arsenal.
One thing for certain would be guaranteed.
The Gunners wouldn't get bullied at the back any more.
Originally Posted by Fats
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