Jose Mourinho knew about Alex Ferguson’s retirement plans months ago and also shared his desire to return to Chelsea with the Scot.
The Portuguese manager disclosed details of the pair’s close friendship which saw them keep each other’s dramatic secrets while he discussed his second spell at Stamford Bridge with the Chelsea hierarchy.
“I knew that Ferguson was retiring many months ago and I was so happy to have his trust. It was big news for the world. I can imagine that just a very close circle around him knew that and it was a big responsibility for me to know that,” Mourinho said.
“Why do I know that? Because we are friends. If I am his friend to know he is going to retire, he is also my friend to know that the club I want to coach in England is Chelsea. Of course I told him.”
The 50-year-old, who returned to the Premier League with plans for peace and stability after a tumultuous three-year spell with Real Madrid, also discussed his views on Fernando Torres, labelling the player “so-so”.
“Somebody could expect more because of what he did before. But not so bad as people sometimes try to say,” he stated.
“From an emotional point of view, I feel I’m coming back. It’s my dugout. It’s the stadium where I never lost a (league) match. It’s my dressing room, it’s Cobham, it’s my office, it has the same table. Emotionally, you get it,” he said.
“But from a purely professional point of view its no different to arriving at a new club. It’s the same ambition. I don’t want people to think that this is comfortable for me. It’s difficult. And that’s what I want.”
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