It might all be just a touch toe-curling – more Sacha Distel past his heyday say

It might all be just a touch toe-curling – more Sacha Distel past his heyday, say, than Marcello Mastroianni in La Dolce Vita – were it not for the brains behind the brawn which takes him into a different, well, into a different league.As befits his status as a sophisticated European with no need to prove himself, Mourinho is not a flash dresser. His wardrobe is, however, sharp and, in this, he in fact follows in the footsteps of a long line of glamorous Chelsea managers including Claudio Ranieri, Ruud Gullit, Gianluca Vialli and, um, Glenn Hoddle. It was, then, a particularly low blow – the idea that this urbane European with his Martini Man good looks, multi-million pound salary and billionaire’s football team bought his coat at Matalan is improbable to say the least.Whichever way you look at it, however, the gesture goes to prove that Mourinho and his style are becoming part of the culture, as much a subject for debate – and/or ridicule – as David Beckham’s haircuts have been in the past. Like them, Mourinho is a million times more sartorially accomplished than his main rivals, the nondescript Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Now though, football’s answer to George Clooney is crossing over into the mainstream and is becoming almost as well known as being “the man that women want to sleep with and men want to be” as he is for anything to do with football.That is largely due to his appearance – to his coat (which is sleek without being elitist and is in fact Giorgio Armani), to his hair (short, silver – aforementioned Clooney meets James Coburn), to the fact that he is seriously handsome. Or his sarong.Sports writers have been eulogising about Mourinho for months. “That coat’s from Matalan!” mocked Manchester City supporters last October as Chelsea’s manager, Jose Mourinho – wearing his now-famous grey wool coat – watched the Chelsea bandwagon he has masterminded suffer a rare setback at the City of Manchester stadium. To the tune of Tarara-boom-deay, ignominiously enough.
Matalan is, of course, about as sartorially low as it is possible to go: cheap as the proverbial chips and about as stylish as Scunthorpe United. However, Kenyon’s evidence seems to reveal that if there was any tapping-up, it came from a different side.Chelsea’s admission to the inquiry means more charges are likely to be brought against them next week.Barnett may also be charged and his agent’s licence could be in jeopardy while Cole will probably escape punishment but his playing future at Highbury must be in doubt.. Barnett had denied the meeting took place but the waiter’s affidavit was provided as evidence to the Premier League inquiry.The inquiry was told that Barnett phoned fellow agent Pini Zahavi asking him to set up a meeting about a move to Chelsea because Cole had become increasingly frustrated by Arsenal’s failure to offer him a new improved deal.Arsenal were offering about £55,0000 a week for a renewed five-year deal but Cole wanted another £30,000 on top of that a week.Cole’s agent knew that if the defender was not going to force Arsenal’s hand, there was only one club to approach – the team which is bankrolled by multi-billionaire Roman Abramovich.The room at the Royal Park is said to have been booked by Zahavi and Barnett turned up with Cole and made his pitch to Kenyon and Mourinho. It is understood that, in the end, Chelsea were not interested in signing Cole.Arsenal manager Ars? Wenger will be furious at the latest allegations, and the inquiry is sure to want answers from Barnett over his role in the events.Chelsea admitted being at the meeting after a waiter signed a sworn affidavit insisting he served Mourinho, Cole and Kenyon at the Royal Park Hotel on 27 January.

It is alleged that Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon went to the meeting along with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to listen to what the 24-year-old had to say but they did not offer him a deal. “I have been asked this question umpteen times over a period of years and now I am sitting here being asked the same old questions,” O’Neill said.The need for a canny wheeler-dealer presses the claims of both Dowie and Allardyce. But having turned down the Newcastle job, doubts surround the willingness of the Bolton manager to make a more obviously sideways move while elements of the City board remain to be convinced of the 50-year-old’s credentials.That leaves Dowie, regarded as the favourite among insiders at the club. “We agreed that the future of Manchester City was more important than John Wardle or Kevin Keegan and that it was in the best interests of the club that Kevin move on,” Wardle said.Of the alternative candidates, O’Neill’s name is the most attractive to City but the Irishman is unlikely to move south without the prospect of money to spend and, he reacted tersely to suggestions he may leave Celtic Park. Chelsea are alleged to have told a Premier League inquiry yesterday that they admit attending a meeting with Arsenal and England defender Ashley Cole, but the latest development is that the Stamford Bridge club claim it was Cole who tapped up them.
Chelsea are believed to have told the Premier League inquiry’s lawyers that the infamous meeting at a London hotel on 27 January was set up by Cole’s agent, Jonathan Barnett.

His track record at Crystal Palace is impressive and although his appointment would require City to pay a significant sum in compensation, the Ulsterman would grab at the opportunity.. He cannot now be a director, but has started a new business, Enigma Products, whose wares can be viewed on – if you are over 18. It is probably the last thing I would want to do.”For the moment, though, such difficulties were cast aside as Pearce delivered his manifesto for the remaining weeks of another disappointing season. “I’m manager now and that is where I aim to be next season and for a few seasons after that,” Pearce said. “Manchester City are a fantastic club and I want to be here for a long time.”I wouldn’t compare myself to Martin O’Neill because he’s got a much better track record than I have,” he added.