Metro (UK)

JOSE HAILS BLUES BACKING AND EYES DUG-OUT RETURN

- By EWAN ROBERTS

JOSE MOURINHO has spoken warmly about his special connection with Chelsea fans, as he confirmed plans to return to management next season.

The 61-year-old has been linked with a third spell at Chelsea following a lacklustre campaign for the Blues under Mauricio Pochettino.

Disgruntle­d fans made their feelings clear during a 2-2 draw with Brentford this month, with some chanting the name of Mourinho.

But the self-proclaimed Special One feels that reaction is simply a reflection of how much he fought for Chelsea during his two spells.

Asked how it feels to hear Chelsea fans chanting his name, Mourinho told Fabrizio Romano: ‘I always say the best thing football has is the fans. Because the fans don’t make money with football – they spend money with football!

‘So normally they are fair. When they don’t like the players, don’t like the coach, for some reason, it’s not because beautiful eyes, it’s not because handsome. They love it, or they don’t love it, for some reason.

‘Independen­t of results – of course I had the luck always to have something to celebrate, something for the fans to have a good memory of me – but I think something that they see is when you are committed to them. And I’m always committed to my club and fans. Doesn’t matter which country, doesn’t matter which club.’

Mourinho left Roma in January and added: ‘I am ready to start [again]. Sometimes when you end at a club you feel the need of a rest or a think. In this case, one day after I left I was ready to go.

‘I am really ready but I don’t want to make the wrong choice. My objective is to start next summer.’

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 ?? ?? Back home: White limbers up for Sunday’s meeting with title rivals Manchester City
Back home: White limbers up for Sunday’s meeting with title rivals Manchester City

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