As Footballers Direct writers publish this article José Mourinho is still addressing the media for the first time after his return to Chelsea. If you were unable to catch the conference we can confirm the usual positive attitude was apparent…
In answer to the first question – asking if he still considered himself the ‘the special one’, Mourinho responded that he was “the happy one”.
He went on: “Time flies, it looks like it was a couple of days ago but it was nine years ago when I first became manager and since then a lot of things happened in my professional life.
“I have the same nature, I am the same person, I have the same heart and the same kind of emotions related to my passion for football and my job, but of course I am a different person.
“If I have to describe myself I would describe myself as a very happy person. It is the first time I arrive in a club where I already love the club, before I had to build an emotional relationship and I only came to love the club a little later.”
He reassured the press that he could achieve further success as the manager of Chelsea, explaining: “”My career has been built and raised on success. In every club I was able to achieve success and win trophies and leave different types of legacy. I have to believe in that.”
Inevitably the subject of a previous breakdown of relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich came up: “I read that I was fired and we had a complete breakdown in relationship, that was not true. At the time we thought it was the best for both of us.
“It was a decision that was difficult for both of us but a decision made by mutual agreement. There was never a break of the relationship and that is why it was possible for me to be here today.
“I am back because we feel we are in a moment of my professional life and in the case of the owner, also a moment in his career as owner, where I think we are in the best moments of our careers and ready to work together again and in much better conditions this time and to succeed in what this club wants, which is stability.
“One of points for me is my relationship with the owner has to be private. What is discussed has to be private. That privacy is crucial.
“The point is we all want the same. We are all in the same direction. It’s a moment where I think we have maturity, a very good feeling, same perspective for the future of the club.
“My area is football but more and more in football have to be deeply connected with all areas of the club. We have same vision and I’m more than happy to follow this philosophy. I am more than happy to be back.
“I didn’t choose a comfortable position because I’m returning to a house where I was happy and successful and where fans loved me. I’m coming from the opposite way. The expectations are higher because people know what I can deliver.
“I want to be respected for achievements in the past but I want to respected for what I achieve now.”
The 50-year-old highlighted the experience that he clearly feels will benefit Chelsea the second time around: “I was two years at Inter and three at Madrid, five years in a managerial career is a long time. Football is an industry where you learn a lot of yourself and learn a lot every day.
“My beginning in 2000, when I was managing for the first time I thought I knew everything but after 13 years you realise you know nothing and have to learn every day. My adventures around Europe were fantastic for me, different countries, different cultures, different media. It was fantastic.
“At 50 I think I am still very young as a manager and I think it was like the beginning of a new period. Do I have a different personality? No, but for sure I have a different approach and perspective.”
