Everything that has a beginning must have an end that seems to be the case between Jose Mourinho's marriage with Inter and Italian football and also for this season's edition of the Champions League .

The media, the referees, rival coaches and rival players have all tried and failed to knock the belligerent Mourinho from his perch. They all hoped for him and his players to fail. But they did not. Instead, as he did at Chelsea, he created the siege mentality, the cocksure, us-versus-them standpoint that has proven to hold the recipe for success.

It will not be lost on Mourinho that he has delivered Italy's first Champions League since 2007, Inter's first in 45 years, with a brand of distinctly Italian football. The sweet pay-off for him is that he has stood on the outside and showed the inward looking Italians how to do it. And he can leave the peninsula with two justifiably upright middle fingers.

Jose carries all the hallmarks of a genius. He is controversial, moody, confident and paranoid - a true original in an age where mediocrity rules. I suspect he is also incredibly hard working, a lesser known hallmark of a 'genius'. He's worth every accolade and more.

He maintained Inter's domestic dominance and gave president Massimo Moratti that which he has longed for since taking over at San Siro. The owner backed his coach in the transfer market and Mourinho's men, the likes of Lucio, Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto'o and Diego Milito can stand proudly beside their trainer.

The loyalty Mourinho has commanded from the group was as evident at the Bernabeu as it has been all season. Samuel Eto'o, once the great striker, has been converted into a diligent right-sided midfield player. Christian Chivu has scarcely played centre-back since he left Roma. The individual need for glory is foresaken for the benefit of the collective. It is left to the Special One to pick up the media glare.

Well done Inter and well done Jose. Serie A has spent the past two seasons ridding itself of its best players. It is about to lose its best coach.

Now on his way to Real Madrid, he leaves a legacy in Milan having won a historic treble that the fans will remember for years to come. His time in Serie A was anything but smooth, but in the end it was a boost for himself, the club and the country.

Bye Jose Mourinho, wish you success with Real Madrid.




Hear Mourinho- After the game, Mourinho said: “I want to become the only coach to win the Champions League with three different clubs.” He previously won the trophy with Porto. Last night Mourinho completed an unprecedented treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia and Champions League wins. He will be paid at least £10m a year after tax — the highest salary ever paid to a football manager.