Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge almost didn’t happen – but the Blues are sure glad it did.
Expectations at Stamford Bridge have always been high, and it was those same expectations that nearly prevented Jose Mourinho from rejoining Chelsea in 2013.
In a candid interview with BT Sport, The Special One confessed that the prospect of returning to the place he had experienced so much success in his previous stint was “dangerous.”
“It was dangerous. It was dangerous for many reasons,” Mourinho said. “The first reason is the old saying, don’t go back to where you were happy before. Why? Because people love me here and Chelsea fans look at me as somebody that was important in a certain moment of Chelsea history.”
Mourinho explained that the unwavering expectations for Chelsea to be a Premier League winner every year were extremely high despite the team losing some of its top stars from when he had won two Premier League titles and three straight double-trophy wins.
“Why risk the prestige and the passion you got? In that perspective, it was a difficult situation,” Mourinho said. “The second situation was because the Chelsea top team finished. No more Essien, Makelele, Lampard, Cole, Drogba – finished.”
Mourinho also added that the constant change in the Premier League which would consistently lead to one of the top 4 teams getting bumped out was also a challenge he faced before making his decision.
“The third reason is the evolution of the Premier League. Even if you want to win the league, you risk finishing outside the top four,
“Two seasons ago – Manchester United out of the top four. Last season – Liverpool out of the top four. Next season – somebody will also be out of the top four.
“When you start a season in a top club, you can be the champion or you can be out of the top four. So I think yes, it’s risky.”
Since making his return to the Premier League, Mourinho has continued his victorious coaching ways with a 62.8% winning rate, along with a Premier League title and a League Cup victory.
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