الثلاثاء، 4 يونيو 2013

#Mourinho reappointed Chelsea manager #football

LONDON — Chelsea confirmed one of the worst-kept secrets in European football Monday when it revealed that charismatic and controversial former manager Jose Mourinho has returned to the club on a four-year contract.

The 50-year-old Portuguese, who led Chelsea to unprecedented success between 2004 and 2007, succeeds interim coach Rafael Benitez.

His Stamford Bridge comeback had been widely anticipated, with weeks of media speculation culminating in his admission on Spanish television late Sunday that he had agreed to move back to west London.

“I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate,” said chief executive Ron Gourlay in a statement published on the Chelsea website.

“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.”

Mourinho arrives from Real Madrid, where an initially fruitful three-year spell ended in acrimony following an unsuccessful league title defense, a semifinal exit in the Champions League, and the alienation of senior players including goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Prior to joining Madrid, he enjoyed a stunning two-season stint at Inter Milan that culminated in an unprecedented sweep of Serie A, Italian Cup and Champions League trophies in 2010.

He is one of only four coaches to have won the European Cup with two different clubs, having first tasted glory in the competition with Porto in 2004.

His subsequent spell as Chelsea manager saw the club emerge as the dominant force in English football.

Backed by the investment of billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, as well as two League Cups and the 2007 FA Cup.

He left in September 2007 after his relationship with Abramovich broke down, but the pair soon reconciled and he returns with the objective of turning Chelsea into title challengers once again.

Popularly referred to as ‘the Special One’, in reference to a brash remark from his very first Chelsea press conference, Mourinho is an outspoken figure who has became renowned for his clashes with officials and opposition coaches. He succeeds Benitez.

Mourinho has brought coaches Rui Faria, Silvino Louro and Jose Morais with him from Madrid and will be officially presented to the media next Monday.

Mourinho was an unsuccessful player whose big break in coaching came when he was hired as an interpreter for English coach Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon in Portugal.

Robson took Mourinho with him to Porto and his influence increased as he took on coaching responsibilities. The duo moved to Barcelona for the 1996-97 season, and Mourinho remained at the club under Louis van Gaal following the Englishman’s departure.

Mourinho returned to Portugal but failed to win any titles during stints as a senior coach at Uniao Leiria and Benfica.

That changed in his first full season at Benfica’s rival Porto, winning the league, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Cup in 2003. — Agencies

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