Roman Abramovich is refusing to give up on his dream of taking Jose Mourinho back as Chelsea manager. Although Mourinho insists he will remain with La Liga champions Real Madrid for at least another season, the Chelsea owner is undeterred. He wants an experienced manager to overhaul the squad and hopes Mourinho will change his mind.
The Portuguese coach, who joined his players on an open-top bus parade on Thursday to celebrate Real’s title win, is the most successful manager in Chelsea history. He was fired after a 1-1 draw against Rosenborg in the Champions League in 2007 and the £18million compensation Abramovich paid Mourinho and his staff was thought to be a major stumbling block to his potential return. But Abramovich is prepared to overlook that staggering pay-out if he can persuade Mourinho to return.
The pair have a healthy relationship and Abramovich is convinced a partnership that appeared fractured beyond repair in 2007 can be revived.
Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo has done a remarkable job by leading the side to the Champions League final since the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in March but Abramovich wants someone with more experience to overhaul the playing staff.
That is the reason he wants Mourinho, but he is facing a battle to persuade him to quit Spain.
Chelsea maintain that a move for their next manager will not be made until after they face Bayern Munich on May 19. But a failure to win that game and clinch Champions League football next season will make the club a less attractive proposition.
Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic insists victory in the FA Cup final at Wembley tomorrow will improve their chances of winning the European Cup.
Ivanovic, who will will miss the Champions League final in Munich through suspension, said: ‘It’s strange to play in the FA Cup final when it’s not the last game of the season but this is better for us because, if we win, it will give us extra confidence for Munich.
“It will be a fight for the trophy against Liverpool but, when there is something to fight for, this group of players are going to fight until the end.” – Daily Mail