Mourinho beaten but still loved on Chelsea return

When Jose Mourinho first arrived astatine Stamford Bridge much than 2 decades ago, he anointed himself Chelsea's 'Special One'.

The 62-year-old has a rich | and storied managerial career, pinch plentifulness of highs, overmuch jaw-dropping contention and moments erstwhile he has fto himself down.

Nowhere though, will he consciousness nan affection reserved for him astatine Chelsea.

They chanted his sanction loudly connected 3 occasions during his caller nine Benfica's 1-0 Champions League defeat. At 1 shape successful nan 2nd half he was being serenaded by nan Matthew Harding Stand astatine 1 extremity and nan Shed astatine nan other.

He waved almost sheepishly. His main attraction was connected nan transportation - his desperation to win greater than it was each those years agone he said, because he has a estimation to unrecorded up to.

"When I first came present no-one was waiting for me," he said. "There were a batch of mobility marks.

"Now everybody thinks I person magic to make things happen."

He was speaking successful Chelsea's media convention room, which was packed. Many who were coming cognize Jose. None travel adjacent to nan effect of Brian Pullman.

Pullman worked astatine Chelsea for an unthinkable 56 years and retired successful 2024. He was a acquainted look successful nan media convention room and clearly, Jose remembered really Pullman utilized to look aft him.

Grinning to spot his aged workfellow had made nan effort to return to meet him, Mourinho asked "where are my favourite biscuits?" Pullman moved a adjacent beverage towel to uncover half a twelve custard creams. The Portuguese took a couple, past grabbed nan remainder arsenic he stood up to leave. The clasp betwixt nan brace was a joyousness to witness.

This is nan Chelsea Mourinho - nan 1 fans love.

It is nan Mourinho who spent an property talking to different semipermanent Chelsea worker Thresa Conneely connected Monday, nan 1 who chatted to his erstwhile subordinate Joe Cole aft arriving 90 minutes earlier kick-off, relaxed pinch his limb draped connected nan one-time England star's enarthrosis arsenic he engaged successful easy conversation. The 1 who stopped and signed a young Chelsea fan's garment earlier he headed to nan dressing room for his pre-match squad talk.

"Of people I convey them," said Mourinho, erstwhile asked of nan protagonist reaction.

"I did it connected nan pitch. I unrecorded astir here. I talk pinch them each time connected nan street.

"I dream to travel backmost present [Stamford Bridge] successful 20 years pinch my grandkids.

"They [Chelsea] beryllium to my history and I beryllium to theirs."

Yet Mourinho wants to win. You could show that arsenic he challenged decisions and demanded much from his players, operating nan touchline arsenic he has ever done.

It seemed overseas to perceive him talk astir really good his squad had played successful defeat, moreover if nan likelihood were stacked against them by nan immense spread successful income betwixt England's Champions League contenders and those from Portugal.

He sat successful nan aforesaid dugout arsenic erstwhile he was manager, though it does make you wonderment why nan nine waited for Mauricio Pochettino to alteration them fixed what is now nan location dugout straddles nan halfway line.

It did mean he was nearer nan Benfica fans though, arsenic he produced different classical Mourinho infinitesimal successful nan 2nd half.

Chelsea mightiness person paid nan Lisbon nine a British grounds £107m to motion Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez 2 years ago, but nan money intelligibly has nary base connected really his aged club's supporters deliberation astir him.

As he went to return a corner, Fernandez was bombarded by missiles from nan precocious and little sections of nan stands astir him.

Mourinho saw what was happening, bounced retired of his spot and took disconnected down nan touchline - a reminder of erstwhile he was Porto head astatine Old Trafford and celebrated knocking Manchester United retired of nan Champions League successful 2004.

The knee descent is beyond him now. Instead, he kept himself to angry waves, telling those supporters to stop.

They mightiness not each person acted arsenic he wished but nan bombardment astatine slightest reduced agelong capable for Fernandez to return nan corner.

Jose nan peacemaker. Jose nan friend.

Benfica didn't triumph - and Chelsea weren't that bully - but Mourinho's return was memorable each nan same.

There will ever beryllium communal respect astir here.