Mourinho “Loves” It at Chelsea and Never Wanted “Easy Fairytales”

Jose Mourinho does not regret returning to coach Chelsea despite his team’s hopes of claiming the Premier League title hanging on the balance, pending Liverpool’s outcome at Crystal Palace on Monday night.

The ‘Blues’ trail leaders Manchester City and Liverpool by a point with just the visit to Cardiff City left for the season.

If Liverpool win at Palace today, Chelsea are out of the title run-in with Man City having to play one outstanding game against Aston Villa at the Etihad Stadium, on Wednesday.

Mourinho Passes Instructions to His Players from the Emirate Stadium Touchline.
Mourinho Passes Instructions to His Players from the Emirate Stadium Touchline.

“This is the club I want and love. I had chances to have easy fairytales if I wanted to win leagues,” said Mourinho, while adding the English League was “a competition I like to play in” and described London as “a city where I like to live.”

Chelsea are set to finish a season without a silverware for the first time since 2010-11.

Mourinho won two league titles, an FA Cup and League Cup during his first spell as Chelsea boss, from 2004 to 2007.

Sunday’s goalless draw at Norwich ended the West London club’s chances of claiming the title in Mourinho’s first season on return following previous spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

Mourinho said away defeats by Everton, Stoke and Newcastle had been particularly costly.

“The boys never did a good job,” added Mourinho. “That does not make us completely happy, but it’s a base for next season.

“We were never outside the top four or out of the title race. At the end we didn’t manage to finish and win it.”

Chelsea are however assured of a third-place finish, which ensures them direct passage to the group stages of next season’s Champions League without needing to play in the qualifying rounds.