Jose Mourinho: Chelsea manager agrees new four-year deal on eve of new Premier League season
The Special One finally puts pen to paper on new contract
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho has signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea.
The Blues announced Mourinho's new deal on the eve of the Barclays Premier League season opener with Swansea.
The Portuguese, who is in his second spell at Stamford Bridge, won the Capital One Cup and Premier League title last term for the Blues.
The new deal ties the self-proclaimed Special One to Chelsea until June 2019.
The 52-year-old said on http://www.chelseafc.com: "If the club is happy, I am happy.
"I think this is a normal thing for me to sign a new contract. It is important we have this continuity and I hope we can enjoy more success in the future - for the fans, the players and the club.
"I said when I returned here two years ago that I have a special feeling for this club and nothing changed.
"It is the club closest to my heart and I am very happy to know I will be staying here for a long time."
Mourinho had a highly successful first spell with Chelsea from June 2004 to September 2007, winning back-to-back Premier League titles in his first two seasons.
His third Premier League crown last term was Chelsea's first championship in five years, since 2009/10.
Following his return to west London, the former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss has often spoken of his desire to stay at Chelsea for as long as owner Roman Abramovich wants him. And it appears the feeling is mutual.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "We are very happy that Jose has committed four more years to the club.
"Since his arrival two years ago he has carefully developed the playing squad and brought trophies to Stamford Bridge.
"We look forward to the next four years and the continued success of the team."
Ahead of the start of the new campaign, Mourinho made a veiled criticism of Roberto Martinez for the Everton manager's outspoken rebuke of Chelsea for their pursuit of John Stones.
Martinez was unhappy with John Terry's comments in praise of Toffees defender Stones, whom the Premier League champions have pursued this summer and had offers rebuffed.
"I'm not speaking about Everton or Stones. I'm just speaking in general," said Mourinho, ahead of Saturday's season-opener with Swansea at Stamford Bridge.
"If I could, I would speak with you (the media) once in a month.
"And there are other people in football who, if they could, they would have a press conference every day. And I don't want to say anything else."
Chelsea have five first-team defenders and Mourinho is keen to recruit more, with a left-back high on the agenda, but he insists he is not preoccupied by the transfer window.
Another concern is up front. Mourinho is uncertain whether Diego Costa will be fit to begin the Blues' title defence after his troublesome hamstring injury flared up once more, forcing the striker out of last Sunday's Community Shield loss to Arsenal.
"I don't know. I promise you, I don't know," Mourinho said.
"I think he's going to train with the team (on Friday evening).
"His reaction after that and his decision to be confident to play is another story."
Mourinho dismissed the suggestion Chelsea might need to buy another striker due to Costa being an ongoing fitness concern.
"Three is the perfect number and we have three," said Mourinho, who is prepared to field Loic Remy or Radamel Falcao against the Swans.
Put to him he has only two and a half strikers due to the uncertainty surrounding Costa, Mourinho said: "The half when he plays is one and a half, so (that) compensates, because he's a fantastic player.
"I cannot say I don't need him. He's such an important player for us.
"Not just for the goals he scores, but also for the football he produces and also for the mentality he helps to create in the team."
Chelsea are bidding to be the first team since Manchester United in 2008/09 to win back-to-back Premier League titles.
Asked what would constitute success this term, Mourinho said: "I really don't know, because it depends not just about you, it's also about the others.
"You can have a good season and somebody was better than you. And I don't consider that failure. I don't consider that a bad season.
"If somebody was better than you, a little bit better, a couple of points more than you, one goal more than you in a knockout phase, then I don't think it's a failure.
"I just think credit to the others. Let's try to be a good team and let's try to be here in March, April speaking to you about the possibility of winning something."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments