Are the sands of time running down on Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho?

It is beginning to look that way as Madrid based sports paper, Marca followed up its Monday exclusive that he would be leaving the club in June after three seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu with another front page story speculating on who Mourinho's successor could be - strong stuff from a paper that has traditionally been very (some may say 'unhealthily') close to Real Madrid President Florentino Perez.

What is surprising about the news is that it should break now, just a matter of days after Real Madrid defeated neighbors Atletico Madrid 2-0 in the city derby.

In his pre-match press-conference Mourinho reacted to boos he had received during the previous home game (against Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey) by saying that he would be on the pitch at 9.20pm (40 minutes before kick-off) so that anyone who wanted to boo him again, could do so.

The Madrid coach stood grey and angry in his overcoat at the appointed time and received applause, although it has been pointed out that the moment was followed by more photographers than supporters, given it was such a long time before kick-off.

So did Mourinho win that challenge, or did most fans simply not bother to turn up? The answer is probably the latter, and the correct question is probably: why did Mourinho feel the need to lay down the gauntlet in such a provocative manner?

The fact is he doesn't seem happy, worn down by the constant sniping from the press, he has become the latest victim of the bi-polarism of Spanish football in which only Real Madrid and FC Barcelona seem to matter and where every word, gesture or movement is analyzed under the microscope by a press looking for controversy. That life under the microscope wore Pep Guardiola down after four seasons at Barcelona, but it seems Pep is going to go one better than his former rival.

He has constantly spoken of his love for the Premier League, where, although he cut a controversial figure, the relation with the press was far more give and take and much less aggressive.

And in Spain Mourinho has been no stranger to controversy in recent times: his aggression just over a year ago against now Barca coach, Tito Vilanova, was perhaps his lowest moment, but this season has seen him criticize Madrid B-team coach Alberto Toril, which many have seen as an excuse for his failure to use players from the club's youth system, as well as fire of a continual stream of barbed comments at press conferences.

But above it all is the fact that Madrid are 11 points behind Barcelona in the league table and need either a miracle, plus a disaster from Barca to have any chance of the league title.

Nothing eases tension like victories and nothing raises the stakes like defeat. Mourinho has just two titles to play for now, the consolation prize of the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.

His side will now put all their efforts into winning a tenth European title, should they lift the European Cup in Wembley in June it will be all worthwhile and he can walk away a hero. Should they fail and his three years at the Bernabeu will have brought just one league title and a Copa del Rey and at great expense and that in the narrow world of Real Madrid v Barcelona is a disaster.

Should he leave Mourinho will leave behind a vacuum that will be hard to fill, given that he has taken on increased responsibility after ensuring the departure of General Director, Jorge Valdano. Mourinho is the closest Real Madrid have ever seen to an English style 'manager' and he has taken on far more responsibilities than any recent coach. When he goes, all of those roles will need to be covered and club President, Florentino Perez, who will stand for re-election in the summer, will have lost the man who did most of the talking and took most of the flax.

Not only will Perez have lost his human shield, but the next coach will inherit a dressing room which is filled with rivalries as the Spanish players, Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos look to re-establish their dominant voice above those of the Portuguese faction, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Coentrao, Marcelo and also Angel de Maria, many of whom share the same agent (Jorge Mendes) as Mourinho, which could serve to kick start an exodus from the club.

Would Joaquin Low leave the German national team a year before the World Cup to take on the challenge? Or would Carlo Ancelotti be prepared to walk into an atmosphere like that with the task of beating Barca or being considered a flop?

Time will tell, but the next seven months at the Santiago Bernabeu don't look apt for those of a nervous disposition. Endi

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