Swaggering Special One is on the wane as Steady big St James’ scalp

HE was the Special One who strode the world stage with a swagger and mischievous eye that made him the darling of the masses.

- JOHN GIBSON

Jose Mourinho won baubles by the basketful at Chelsea and wherever he hung his hat and, coupled with devastating Mediterranean good looks and ready quip, he ruled football’s airwaves.

However, ever so slowly Mour-inho has drifted down football's pecking order from being the Special One to Predictable One and even to some Dinosaur One while still retaining an undeniable status.

Now back home in his native land with distinguished club Benfica, he is about to return to the heartland of his mentor Sir Bobby Robson to do Champions League battle against Newcastle United next week.

Without question it will be a special occasion for Mourinho, whose affection and gratitude to Bobby remains undimmed.

It was Robson who gave him his big break, taking him from Sporting Lisbon to Porto and on to giants Barcelona in his formative years when initially his greatest asset was as an interpreter.

Without our Geordie knight there would have been no flamboyant and controversial figure striding the world stage.

To his credit Jose has always paid fulsome tribute to Bobby. He made an effort to attend Robson's memorial service at Durham Cathedral (as did Pep Guardiola), and in the past whenever his team has played at St James’ Park Mourinho has without fuss or seeking publicity walked down to Robson’s statue at the Gallowgate end to lay flowers at his feet.