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Roman Abramovich's riches had already started to transform Chelsea for one season under Claudio Ranieri but defeat by Monaco in the Champions League semi-final convinced him he needed something special - or should I say "The Special One"?

Jose Mourinho made one of the most spectacular and memorable managerial entrances in the story of English football and was able to back it up by delivering Chelsea's first title in 55 years.

Mourinho, who came to Stamford Bridge after winning the Champions League with Porto, had foundations in the shape of captain John Terry and future all-time great Frank Lampard, but added the talisman Didier Drogba, alongside with his Porto defensive stalwarts Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira. Arjen Robben also arrived.

Mourinho shaped a Chelsea team that served the club superbly for years to come, bolting fierce defensive discipline and streetfighter qualities on to serious attacking threat with Lampard both an outstanding midfield force and a world-class source of goals.

Mourinho made it two titles out of two in 2005-06, although he saw his Champions League aspirations thwarted by Liverpool in a pair of semi-finals.

Yes, it ended as it do often does with Mourinho - sourly. But this was a great manager at his best and this was the start of Chelsea's golden years.

Hit the thumbs for Mourinho's Blues.

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Manchester United's great teams can be plucked from many eras and, as this is based on first-hand reporting experience, the Treble-winning 1999 team comes a year too soon - but how can we ignore that stellar season?

The first English team to win the Champions League, achieved so late and so dramatically against Bayern Munich in the Nou Camp, the Premier League and the FA Cup in the same season.

And look at how they got there. Inter Milan were beaten in the last eight, while a high-quality Juventus side were overcome in the semi-final, United winning 3-2 in Turin despite going 2-0 down.

This is the very definition of a great team, but for this particularly criteria I take a leap forward to the team that won Sir Alex Ferguson's second Champions League on penalties against Chelsea in Moscow in 2008.

United's attack contained Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez, while central defence was patrolled by the world-class duo of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. Paul Scholes was in midfield alongside Michael Carrick and Owen Hargreaves, while Ryan Giggs was still very much a force. Edwin van der Sar was an outstanding keeper and vital in the penalty shootout.

This incarnation of Ferguson's United also won the Premier League, the second of three successive titles - a feat not repeated until Manchester City won their third in a row in 2022-23.

Is the '99 your favourite? Hit the thumbs.

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The label of perennial under-achievers hung heavily on the shoulders of a hugely gifted Spain side until Fernando Torres' winner gave them their first major crown for 44 years with victory over Germany in the Euro 2008 final.

It was the start of an era of world domination based on an amalgam of Barcelona and Real Madrid, who put old rivalries aside for the greater good, firstly under Luis Aragones then Vicente del Bosque.

Spain had defenders of the calibre of Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique and Sergio Ramos. Midfield quality came from Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Xabi Alonso and David Silva, while Torres and David Villa provided quicksilver brilliance in attack. Iker Casillas was a world-class keeper.

The World Cup followed in 2010, a desperate final against the Netherland in Johannesburg which contained 14 yellow cards and a red for Dutch defender John Heitinga, settle by Iniesta's extra-time winner.

If these were attritional victories, the full range of Spain's talents flourished in a devastating 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the Euro 2012 final in Kiev, three successive major tournament wins in a truly golden period sealed in style for them and for all of us who witnessed it in person.

Is anyone better than Spain? Hit the thumbs.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Real Madrid will always feature in any list of great teams but, as this is shaped by those watched in person, one era stands out above all others, starting in 2014.

I have been there for five of Real's Champions League wins, stretching back to Zinedine Zidane's left-foot volley, a moment of the purest sporting beauty, that won the 2002 final against Bayer Leverkusen at Hampden Park.

More riches came in quick succession later on in a team dominated by the force of personality of Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos but also blessed with the enduring brilliance of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema and - before it sadly turned sour - the glorious talent of Gareth Bale.

I was in Lisbon in May 2014 to see Ramos's headed stoppage-time equaliser set up an eventual 4-1 win against arch rivals Atletico, then in Cardiff three years later when Juventus were beaten by the same scoreline.

Bale's final came in Kiev in 2018 when Liverpool were beaten and there was another to see in Paris in 2022 when Vinicius Jr's winner sunk Jurgen Klopp's team once more.

This was a world-class team able to win in different ways, its enduring nature confirmed by Benzema and Modric receiving five Champions League winners' medals while Kroos, Ramos and Ronaldo won four while at the Bernabeu.

Is this Madrid side the best? Vote with the thumbs.

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Pep Guardiola's opening season in charge of Barcelona brought his first Treble - crowned by a magnificent 2009 Champions League final victory against Manchester United in Rome's Stadio Olimpico to add to La Liga and the Copa del Rey.

United actually threatened to over-run Barcelona in the opening moments but once Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring this was a peerless, one-sided demonstration of what Sir Alex Ferguson's labelled the Catalans' passing "carousel".

Lionel Messi emphasised his greatness with a brilliant second-half header, a United side boasting players such as Cristiano Ronaldo - playing his final game before moving to Real Madrid - and Wayne Rooney utterly outclassed.

This was the Barca of Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield, with Sergio Busquets the bulwark. Above all, it was the Barca of Messi.

If anything, their 3-1 win over United at Wembley two years later, with the great David Villa in the ranks and on target, was even more emphatic, the waves of pressure applied with a brutal brilliance that overwhelmed Ferguson's team. It was not quite perfection but it was not far off.

Barcelona had acquired two more geniuses in Neymar and Luis Suarez when they won another Champions League with a 3-1 win over Juventus in Berlin in 2015.

I was privileged to watch all three victories by a truly great side and it was Guardiola who moulded them, Messi who inspired them.

Do Pep's Barca top the pile for you? Hit the thumbs.

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Jurgen Klopp's transformation of Liverpool after succeeding Brendan Rodgers in October 2015 took its time to hit full stride, but when it did they provided some of the most exciting attacking football seen anywhere.

Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah formed a deadly triumvirate with Roberto Firmino, but it was the sale of star man Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for £142m in January 2018 that enabled Liverpool to hit a spectacular next level.

The money was initially spent, £75m of it, on Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool reached the Champions League final at the end of that season, losing 3-1 to Real Madrid.

Klopp spent the rest of the Coutinho cash on Roma's brilliant goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Liverpool going one better the following season, beating Tottenham in the Champions League final in a run that will be forever remembered for the second-leg semi-final at Anfield when Liverpool beat Barcelona to overturn a three-goal deficit.

Next up was a first league title in 30 years, there was also the chase for an historic quadruple in 2021-22 - in which they missed out on the Premier League title to Manchester City by one point - and there was another Champions League final loss to Real Madrid, but the FA Cup and League Cup were won.

Quite simply, one of the outstanding teams of the modern era.

Are Liverpool your GOATs? Hit the thumbs.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

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In my time working as BBC Sport's chief football writer, I have been lucky enough to see some of the game's greatest teams.

But watching Manchester City complete the Treble in Istanbul made me think about some of the best sides I have covered.

City's feat in becoming only the second English men's team to win the perfect Treble of the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup is confirmation they must be ranked among the greats.

Erling Haaland's goals and power provided a significant point of difference but there was brilliance in every position delivered by the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Jack Grealish and many more.

The first 45 minutes of their 4-0 win against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg was one of the most exhilarating exhibitions I have ever seen.

There will be the inevitable questions about the Premier League charging City with 115 breaches of financial regulations - allegations the club fiercely deny and will fight strenuously - but, judged in the football context, they are a quite magnificent football team.

So who are the other greatest men's sides I have seen in my career?

Phil's picks are here, we'll share them in the next few entries.

Newcastle are leading Tottenham in the race to sign James Maddison, report Sky Sports.

The Leicester and England attacking midfielder is valued at around £40 million, despite the Foxes' relegation from the Premier League.

Newcastle held an interest in Maddison back in January, and can now also offer him Champions League football - which Spurs cannot.

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There's more reason to celebrate for West Ham boss David Moyes.

The Scot showed off his dancing skills after last week's Europa Conference League final win.

And now it has been revealed he will be staying at the Hammers for their third successive European campaign.

Manchester City

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Simon Stone
BBC Sport

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David Moyes will stay on as West Ham manager after winning the Europa Conference League.

Moyes’ future had been the subject of huge speculation throughout the season.

On three occasions, the Scot appeared to be one game from the sack.

However, all three times, West Ham won and eventually secured their Premier League future with two games to spare.

The Hammers have since gone on to end their 43-year wait for a trophy by beating Fiorentina in Prague.

Pictures of Moyes’ joyous celebrations with his dad after the game were particularly poignant.

However, behind the scenes, it has been decided Moyes will stay in his job as West Ham look forward to European football for the third successive season for the first time in their history.

He will also have to cope without skipper Declan Rice, who is set to leave the club this summer.

Incoming - David Moyes is to stay on as West Ham manager.

More to follow

BBC football reporter Simon Stone speaking to 5 Live Breakfast this morning about the 115 Premier League charges faced by Manchester City in relation to their finances: "I wouldn't expect it [a resolution] any time soon. City dispute these charges, Guardiola said at a press conference last month that he wants them dealt with as soon as possible.

"Behind the scenes, there is a feeling City are not quite as keen on getting this done quickly - they have objected to the chair of the committee on the grounds he is an Arsenal fan, and some of the charges relate to City not complying with the Premier League over their investigation.

"Some of these charges predate Guardiola - some observers feel that, without City breaking the rules, Guardiola would not have arrived and we would not have the situation we are at now.

"I don't know when it will be dealt with - if we get a resolution by the end of next season we will be doing well."

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Pep Guardiola's achievements have finally been recognised by his idol Julia Roberts.

In March, the Manchester City manager told press that, even if he won the Champions League trophy three years in a row, he would still consider himself a failure because in 2016, when Hollywood star Roberts came to Manchester, she chose to visit Old Trafford over the Etihad.

"I have three idols in my life," the 52-year-old Spaniard said at the time, "Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Julia Roberts...even if I win the Champions League, it won't compare to the face that Julia Roberts came to Manchester and didn't come to see us."

Following City's victory over Inter Milan on Saturday, Roberts went online to say, "Congratulations @pepteam, external for leading your team to be UCL champions.#pep, external#soccermom, external"

Perhaps that may serve as some consolation for the City manager.

Image source, @juliaroberts

Manchester City fan Steven McInerney, host of the ‘Esteemed Kompany’ YouTube channel, speaking to 5 Live Breakfast this morning: "The closer the game got, a lot of City fans got nervous. Inter don't lose finals very much, and they were really good - so organised and strong. The United final was tough as well, but you've got to grind it out, and that's testament to the team Guardiola has built this season.

"That wasn't a stroll, it was an absolute battle, and City were the better side in the end."

On Pep Guardiola: "I'm a little bit biased but I love the man, I think he's phenomenal. Some coaches are charismatic and brilliant people people, some a great tacticians. He is both at the same time, there is so much natural leadership but he's also an incredible tactician, look at what he has done with John Stones.

"Pep is the best of every single world - and he has taken on a bit of the Manc self-deprecating humour."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

BBC football reporter Simon Stone speaking to 5 Live Breakfast this morning: "Even Inter fans on Saturday were not expecting to win. They did a better job playing against City than many other sides.

"There is no doubt at all that City are the best team in England, the best team in Europe and almost certainly the best team in the world. They have obliterated all opposition over the second half of the season.

"Pep Guardiola has put together a phenomenal team. Now it is a case of whether he reshapes this team, if it has gone as far as it can go, or bring in more players to make them even better. There is a challenge for the rest of the Premier League, because City are not going away."

Image source, Reuters

Former Premier League defender Jonathan Woodgate says there is still room for Manchester City to improve and believes their players will be considering ways to do so - including the possibility of a quadruple.

City have been regular winners of the Carabao Cup in recent seasons, but they were beaten by Southampton at the quarter-final stage in January.

And that proved to be the only major trophy to elude Pep Guardiola's team during the 2022-23 campaign.

Ex-England centre-back Woodgate told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily: "There are always ways for football teams to improve. Every player in that squad will think to themselves that they want to get better next year. What can they do next year? They can win the quadruple.

"That'll be one thing they'll be thinking about, can they won four trophies next season? That's your mentality of wanting to get better and wanting to improve, and I'm sure they will."

But BBC Radio 5 Live's football correspondent John Murray warned the demands on them will be greater next term, adding: "I think history will tell us that teams who have great seasons like this, the next season is hard.

"When you're a Champions League winner, you'll play in the Super Cup, you'll be involved in the Fifa Club World Cup, and there are all of those extra commitments that you have to deal with."

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AC Monza, who went from Serie C to Serie A under Silvio Berlusconi's ownership, have paid tribute to the former Italian Prime Minister after his death aged 86..

Aided by former AC Milan cohort Adriano Gaillani, Berlusconi saw the club rise after taking over in 2018.

A Monza statement read: "Forever with us.

"Adriano Galliani and all AC Monza mourn the loss of Silvio Berlusconi: “A void that can never be filled, forever with us. Thank you for everything President ".

Image source, AC Monza

• More on Berlusconi at Monza

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Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has died aged 86, bought his hometown club AC MIlan and saw great success in his 31 years as owner.

Berlusconi oversaw five Champions League titles and eight Serie A championships between 1986 and 2017.

He returned to football ownership in 2018 when buying third-division side AC Monza.

Aided by his old AC Milan cohort Adriano Galliani, they made history at AC Monza - guiding the club to Serie A promotion for the first time in their 110-year existence.

• Read more on Silvio Berlusconi