Mourinho’s Alternate Barca Universe: A Glimpse into the XI that Could Have Changed Football History

In a surprising turn of events, Jose Mourinho has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of Roma. As we reflect on his coaching journey, it’s intriguing to rewind to a pivotal moment years ago when Mourinho was in contention for the managerial role at Barcelona, a position ultimately secured by Pep Guardiola.

Catalan outlet Mundo Deportivo once envisioned Mourinho’s potential Barca XI on the day he joined Inter Milan. The hypothetical lineup included Valdes; Dani Alves, Puyol, Milito, Maicon; Deco/Essien, Iniesta, Lampard; Messi, Eto’o, Ribery. This alternate universe sparks the imagination, contemplating a Barcelona without Xavi, Sergio Busquets, or Thierry Henry. In this scenario, Iniesta takes on the role of a defensive midfielder, while new signings Maicon, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, and Franck Ribery add a unique twist to the team.

The mere thought of these changes raises the question of how different Barcelona’s football history could have been under Mourinho’s guidance. One notable constant, however, is the desire of both Mourinho and Guardiola to have Dani Alves in their respective lineups. Ultimately, Alves did join Barcelona that summer, marking a shared point of interest in the managerial strategies of the two iconic coaches.