José Mourinho's Chelsea Era In Pictures

Five Trophies, Three Years, One Special Coach

Five trophies, three years and one special coach. José Mourinho set the wheels in motion for an unparalleled era of success for Chelsea back in 2004 and now he's back to finish the job.

Mourinho's return will be confirmed this week after the Portuguese let out football's worst kept secret over the weekend and supporters can now roll out the blue carpet for Rafael Benítez's successor. From the reviled to the revered.

It was exactly nine years and one day ago today Mourinho gave that memorable press conference when he was unveiled as Chelsea manager. It is usually the writers who describe a coach as a "top manager" and a "special one", but Mourinho did the talking for them.

He has retreated to a place where the love is mutual. At Inter, his rapport with the fans was great but awful with the media. In Madrid, sections of the crowd would boo the ultras for serenading Mourinho and his relationship with the press was worse than in Italy.

In Blighty, Mourinho enjoyed the company of the English press to such a degree he gave Garth Crooks a hug on the night he departed Chelsea. Nobody on these shores holds Crooks in high regard. His English love triangle with Chelsea fans and writers is an uncomplicated ménage à trois.

So ahead of his imminent appointment, here's his three colourful years as Blues boss...

Close

What's Hot