Jose Mourinho believes the Premier League did not miss him when he departed Chelsea six years ago.
The Portuguese left Stamford Bridge in 2007 after guiding the club to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.
However, after successful spells with Inter Milan and Real Madrid, the 50-year-old arrived back at West London to take charge of Chelsea for a second time.
And after much had been made of his return, Mourinho claims his absence from England had nothing to do with being missed.
"I don't think the Premier League, or the country, missed me," Mourinho told The Guardian.
"The country is too strong in relation to football, and the Premier League is too strong to miss somebody. It's not a question of 'missing'. But it's certainly a question of me loving it here and people know that."
Mourinho also admitted he likes the 'hostility' that the Premier League provides for games away from Stamford Bridge.
"I enjoy playing at home, feeling the Chelsea fans' passion, that they are happy to have me on their side; but I also enjoy playing away and feeling the opponents support their own team, giving me that 'hostility'," he said.
"It's a 'pure hostility'. It's not aggressive. If Chelsea fans at Norwich are singing: 'Jose Mourinho', and the other guys sing 'Fuck off Mourinho', I don't think it's aggressive hostility. It's better than them ignoring me.
"If, one day, I was Norwich manager, they'd be singing my name too. It's pure. You go, for example, to countries like Spain and when they say: 'Hijo de puta Portugues' (Portuguese son of a bitch) you know it's a deep feeling. A real hatred. They mean it.
"Here, even the hostility is different. More tongue-in-cheek. When I'm not winning I'm 'not special any more'. I understand that and I like it."
Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
No comments:
Post a Comment