Mourinho bows out after trophyless season at Real

Intensely irritating to some, hugely entertaining to others, the outspoken and colourful Jose Mourinho has proven time and again that success is never far from his golden touch.

From a modest playing career and humble beginnings in management, the 50-year-old has become one of the most sought-after signings by club presidents eager for the Portuguese to wave his magic wand and conjure a succession of silverware.

His managerial record stands the closest scrutiny - a Champions League winner with two clubs and league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain.

He guided Porto to league and European glory, moulded Chelsea into English champions and Inter Milan into Italian league and European winners.

At Real, who announced that Mourinho would leave at the end of a trophyless season in a mutual parting, he ended three years of Barcelona dominance by winning the La Liga title last season. But he fell short in his stated desire to win a third personal Champions League trophy and the magical 10th that Real so desperately desired.

"Both the club and the coach agree that it is the right moment to end this relationship," Real president Florentino Perez said, adding Mourinho would not receive a pay-off.

The success of his teams on the pitch has earned Mourinho the adulation of fans, the respect of players and a love-hate relationship with club presidents. But underpinning Mourinho's time in managerial hot seats have been clashes with authority, tetchy relationships with rival managers and a disdain for match officials.