Klinsmann to Fowler: 3 classic club returns to inspire Tiago
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They say you should never look back in life but Jose Mourinho has always laughed in the face of convention and continues to do so with his pursuit of former blue Tiago.
The Atletico midfielder is set to rejoin the Stamford Bridge club – who are 9/4 to win the 2014/15 Premier League – after helping Atleti land a historic La Liga title in Spain.
Some may deride Mourinho for delving into the past but here are three examples of how it can work out for the best:
Jurgen Klinsmann – Tottenham Hotspur
Klinsmann bagged 29 goals in 50 appearances during his first spell at the club and his sarcastic diving celebration had already assured him cult status at White Hart Lane.
All these exploits would be eclipsed though when he returned for a loan spell in the disastrous 1997-98 season.
Despite signing David Ginola and Les Ferdinand, Spurs flirted with relegation until Klinsmann returned and bagged nine strikes in 15 games to ensure survival.
Peter Beardsley – Newcastle
Newcastle fans are often said to have delusions of grandeur as far as their title aspirations are concerned and Beardsley is a large reason for this.
After bagging 61 goals in 147 games between 1983 and 1987 he was snapped up by Liverpool and then Everton before returning to a hero’s welcome in 1993. Another 47 strikes in 129 games and countless match winning displays saw the Magpies come as close as they ever have to winning the Premier League – runners-up twice!
Robbie Fowler – Liverpool
As an integral part of Liverpool’s attack throughout the 90s and into the early noughties, Fowler’s influence was vital as the club landed two League Cups and the historic FA Cup, Uefa Cup and Super Cup treble in 2001.
However, for the boyhood Liverpool fan it was his return in 2006 – after playing for Leeds and Manchester City – that had him feeling like “a kid on Christmas Day” every morning.
His eight goals in 30 games may not have brought more silverware but they did ensure he overtook childhood hero Kenny Dalglish on the Reds’ all-time scoring charts.
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