Jose Mourinho believes the trust from everyone at Chelsea will allow him sufficient time to build another great side at Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese initially pitched up at the London club back in the summer of 2004 and announced himself as The Special One, and he certainly proved to be just that during his three years at the helm. Mourinho led the Blues to two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups, before being controversially sacked in September 2007.
He then went on to enjoy more success with Internazionale and Real Madrid, whilst at the same time he was able to repair his relationship with Roman Abramovich. So when he decided to quit the Bernabeu at the end of last season and the opportunity to return to Chelsea presented itself, the 50-year-old jumped at the chance.
Whereas the team he first inherited was already close to being the finished article, it is a slightly different story this time round. Yet the Blues remain in contention for the league title, are in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and also the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League. But Mourinho feels that even if he fails to deliver glory this season, he will retain the backing of the club due to the trust they have in him to succeed.
“It’s a different challenge from before,” he told the London Evening Standard. “The other one was to win for the first time, there was the impact of a new foreign owner that was something new in English football and world football. Now it is a different perspective. Many people told me Chelsea supporters will expect me to do the same as before. I was never worried about that. I was sure about people’s trust.
“In the same way people know I built a Chelsea team that lasted seven-eight years and was in place to fight for titles after my departure, I know that I’m going to do the same. People trust me. People know I am one of them so they know that my happiness in the good moments is more than a normal manager and my sadness is more, too.”
During his managerial career so far, Mourinho has been tagged with a reputation as someone who doesn’t stick around for long. His first spell at Stamford Bridge remains the longest he has ever stayed at one club, but his current contract is set to run for four years. And he insists he wants to see out his career at the capital club.
“I’m not here thinking about my next move because I don’t want to have a next move,” he added. “I will have a next move if and when Chelsea decides it’s time for that. I’m here to stay. I belong to Chelsea, Chelsea belong to me. I didn’t know if Chelsea would be available and if the door would be open but when it did, the picture was perfect for me.”
