JOSE MOURINHO
United boss is under pressure this afternoon
“So there is a connection based on empathy, but built on success.
“When the last two or three months of my time at Chelsea were a period of bad results, the fans kept that empathy and remembered our relationship.
“That is something I don’t forget. I will always be grateful to them because with me, they have always behaved in a fantastic way.
“There is one thing that Chelsea fans can be sure of now – I am 100% Manchester United.
“I want to win with United and make them the best, but I will always be respectful to Chelsea.
“It doesn’t matter what happens, I will never lose that feeling towards the club.”
Today’s encounter is quickly followed by a League Cup clash with neighbours Manchester City on Wednesday night.
While that offers a chance for revenge after Pep Guardiola’s City won 2- 1 at Old Trafford in the league last month, Mourinho admits the game is not too high on his list of priorities.
“It is the League Cup, and honestly, in the four competitions we are involved in, that is the least important one,” he explains.
“We want to win the game and we want to win the League Cup – I have won it three times before and I will never throw it away.
“If you ask me if my focus is on the match one little bit, I would say no.
“The schedule has been tough but at least City are also playing today, so Pep has the same problems that I have.”
JOSE MOURINHO famously announced himself as “The Special One” on his first day at Chelsea in 2004.
But the Portuguese has put that mantra on hold for now, at least until he brings the glory days back to Manchester United.
In his eyes, a special relationship is defined by winning titles – something he has achieved at Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
And he knows that he won’t be idolised by United fans in the same way as at those other clubs until the Reds are Champions again.
“Connections start before titles are won,” he says.
“But it is success that brings empathy between the supporters and the manager and makes that connection really strong.
“I have a three-year contract at United and if I am here for three years, the people will know that I have given everything to the club as a professional and dedicated coach who gives himself to United 24-hours-a-day.
“But if at the end of those three years, I don’t win a single piece of silverware for them, the fans will say: ‘Great guy, good coach, we like him. But we feel nothing special about him’.”
Mourinho is preparing for the trip to Stamford Bridge this afternoon to take on Chelsea for the first time as an opposing Premier League manager.
He returns there less than 12 months after he was sacked following their disastrous start to last season.
But he is not focusing on that sour ending, rather the seven trophies and years of success he brought during his two spells in charge.
“Chelsea have won four Premier League titles in their history. Three of them were won with me and the other one was won by the team I left behind.
“I took them to Wembley, I took them to Cardiff, I took them to cup finals.
Chelsea have won four Premier League titles. Three with me and one by the team I left behind