Mourinho in for the long haul
2007-07-15 15:11
Mitch Phillips
London - Jose Mourinho is back on
speaking terms with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and says he
now feels so settled in London that he has bought a house.
Mourinho, in the United States on Chelsea's pre-season tour,
said that his injury-hit side spent much of last season playing
"survival football" but hoped to be able to produce a more open
game in their bid to reclaim the Premier League title.
Many observers felt that Mourinho's strained relationship
with Abramovich, caused partly by the Russian's refusal to fund
transfers the manager wanted, adversely affected the team last
season but the coach said that things had improved.
"We had a very long meeting at Stamford Bridge last week
that made everything clear between us. There is no doubts. I
know what he thinks, I know what he feels, I know what he wants.
"I think it's better to have one very good and long meeting
than 10 short and bad," Mourinho told the Sunday Times.
Mourinho, whose future was the subject of much media
speculation last season, said he was happy to remain at the
club.
"For the first time in three years I bought a house in
London," said the Portuguese coach who has three years remaining
on his contract.
"I didn't buy it because I want to sell next week or because
I'm thinking about leaving...I want to stay."
Major target
Despite winning the League Cup and FA Cup last season,
Mourinho failed in his major target when Chelsea lost to
Liverpool on penalties in the Champions League semi-finals.
"We were so close with Champions League, there was a moment
in the Premiership where we were also smelling the first
position, and after that again, injured, injured, injured, and
we couldn't do it," he said.
"I agree completely that our football last season was a
football of survival, that was a word I used a lot. `We need to
survive, we need to win this game to keep in the title race, we
need to draw this game to progress in Champions League'. That
was the kind of game we played.
"So if you ask me do we want to win the title back? Yes, we
want to. And if you ask me, do we want to improve our game? Yes,
we want to."
Mourinho praised Manchester United for their entertaining,
counter-attacking style but could not resist a few barbs: "The
Cup final was a game when Chelsea were in trouble with so many
injuries, but Chelsea were comfortable in the game because we
understand the way they play," he said.
"They spent some big money this season buying good players...
but I'm very happy with my squad; I'm afraid of nobody."
- Reuters