Jose Mourinho could return to Chelsea this summer on the back of what has been the worst season in his otherwise illustrious career.
Although Rafael Benitez has led the Blues to a top-four finish and the UEFA Europa League this term, he will be released when his interim contract expires in the summer. Mourinho has been heavily backed to return to Stamford Bridge, after winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in his previous spell.
The Portuguese coach has spent the past three years in Spain with Real Madrid, and led them to the Copa del Rey in his first season and the league title last term. This time round, though, they will finish a distant second to Barcelona in the league, whilst on Friday night they lost the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in a fiery contest.
This means Mourinho, who was sent off in that final, will endure a trophyless campaign for the first time in his managerial career, having also enjoyed huge success with Porto and Internazionale. It is no surprise, then, that the 50-year-old has labelled this season as the worst he has ever experienced.
“This is the worst season of my career, with a title that is not enough for me or a club like Real Madrid,” he told a Press conference. “I have failed this season. When things are going well the credit goes to everyone and when things go badly it is the coach’s fault. We’ve been close…but that does not exist in football. It has been my worst season. For many it would be good, but it’s bad for me because I have never not won a big title.”
Meanwhile, reports on Saturday suggest Mourinho has now agreed a £12million-per-year deal with Chelsea, who hope to confirm his return in early June. It is believed a compensation package of around £8million has been thrashed out between the two clubs.
