Emotional Mourinho returns singing the Blues’ praise

The Portuguese coach travelled to London yesterday to complete the formalities of a second stint in charge of the west London club after his exit from Real Madrid was confirmed, penning a four-year deal.

Mourinho was headhunted by the Blues after guiding Porto to Champions League glory in 2004, and would lead Chelsea to successive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before leaving after his relationship with owner Abramovich broke down and they parted company, officially by mutual consent at the time.

He subsequently won the European Cup again with Inter Milan and the Spanish title in his second season in Madrid.

The 50-year-old’s relationship with Abramovich has long since thawed and the Portuguese maintains it was an “easy decision” to make his return.

“I had to prepare myself not to be too emotional on my arrival at the club, but obviously I am very happy,” Mourinho told Chelsea TV.

“It was an easy decision. I met the boss, I met the owner and in five minutes after a couple of very short but pragmatic questions, we decided straight away.

“I asked the boss ‘do you want me back?’ and the boss asked me ‘do you want to come back?’ and in a couple of minutes, the decision was made.”

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay insists moving to bring back the self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ was the only option as Chelsea looked to take the club on following the reign of interim manager Rafael Benitez, who had replaced Champions League-winning coach Roberto Di Matteo in November 2012, and after some initial difficulties guided the Blues to a third-place finish as well as winning the Europa League.

Mourinho feels with hindsight the parting of the ways back in September 2007, when he was replaced by Avram Grant, was perhaps what both needed at the time, as Chelsea have since also gone on to win the European Cup last season.

Mourinho’s previous spell of just over three years at Stamford Bridge was his longest at any club in a nomadic career to date.

But he said yesterday: “I am much more ready to establish myself in the club for a long time.

“When you look at the profile of the Chelsea squad, I think it’s what they need at this time.”

Mourinho profile: Page 18.