Monday 3 June 2013

Chelsea Officially Announces Mourinho as New Manager

Chelsea have confirmed Jose Mourinho as their new manager on a four-year deal, with Ron Gourlay admitting: “He was the outstanding candidate.

The 50-year-old Portuguese coach travelled to London on Monday to complete the formalities of a return to Stamford Bridge after his exit from Real Madrid was confirmed.

The 50-year-old succeeds interim manager Rafael Benitez, who had replaced Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo in November 2012, and following some initial difficulties went on to guide the Blues to a third-placed finish as well as winning the Europa League.

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said on the club’s official website, www.chelseafc.com: “I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

“It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our number one choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that.

“He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again.”

Mourinho will bring assistant coaches Rui Faria, Silvino Louro and Jose Morais to Stamford Bridge and they will work alongside current first-team staff Steve Holland, Christophe Lollichon and Chris Jones.

“If you have a look at every club Jose has been to, he has always been successful,” said Harris.

“People will say he has not done that well at Real Madrid, but he took an unfashionable club like Porto to winning the Champions League, and did the same thing at Inter Milan.

“If he was to come back to Chelsea again, and with one or two adjustments to the squad they will be a major force, challenging for all the major honours again next season.

“If you look defensively, they are quite sound, maybe they will be bringing in another full-back, then a midfield player and another striker or wide player, that would give Chelsea an awesome squad of players.

Before he left Spain, Mourinho spoke to TV football show Punto Pelota about his future plans.

“I’m going to London on Monday and at the end of the week I will be the manager of Chelsea,” he said. “I feel the people there love me and in life you have to look for that.

“Life is beautiful and short and you must look for what you think is best for you.”

Mourinho is expected to bring in some reinforcements ahead of the new season, with £15million-rated Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi a reported target.

The new Blues manager will look to shape his squad during their tour of Asia, which sees matches in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta from July 17.

The club confirmed Mourinho would be presented to the media on Monday, June 10.

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