The second law of
thermodynamics states that the entropy of an isolated
system never decreases, because they spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic
equilibrium — that is, maximum entropy.
Entropy – defined as the tendency
of a system to break into terminal disorder – is such a potent force that it will
(probably) be the cause of the ultimate end of the universe, as heat is unable
to escape the system and gradually rises to such a point that everything falls
apart – literally.
In related news, José
Mourinho is again a free man. He
leaves Real Madrid after three years’ not only obeying the second law of
thermodynamics but actively seeking to hasten its work. In that time he was first feted as savior; now
he has been gratefully cast to scattering winds.
It is Mourinho’s modus operandi to close
ranks and build a combative team infused utterly with an “us against the world”
mentality that maintains a player’s confidence in himself, his manager and his
teammates. In such a way, he inspired
Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League triumphs and redressed imbalances wrought
in England and Spain by iconic teams like the Invincibles and Guardiola’s
Barcelona. To look at a squad
coached by José Mourinho – in his first two years at a club, anyway – is to see
a completely unified front and spectacular results.
However, isolation so desired creates
the closed system in which the reaction byproducts remain, increasing interior temperature
until relationships break down and instability ensues. Often his ability to rock a boat is so
profound that it affects not only him and his club but the
managers succeeding him.
Not only did Mourinho fashion this
closed system, but also the reactions ramping up the entropy within. He has engaged in running battles with the
Spanish media and cast doubt upon his own future at every opportunity; his
reputation for wanderlust has been affirmed by short, but successful, spells at
four clubs in a decade (and
another coming). The intensity with
which he achieves such great results also serves as a constant abrasive as his
cocksure manner shuffles relationships inexorably from “we” to “me”.
Until José Mourinho learns to
temper his double-edged intensity, his tenures will always be short – indeed,
it was this tendency that forestalled interest
in him from Manchester United, a position he so obviously covets. However, because the results he generates are
so compelling, there will be no shortage of suitors hoping to take advantage of
his remarkable talent.
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