Chelsea’s League Cup win and first Premiership title in 50 years are only the foundations for greater success at Stamford Bridge, manager Jose Mourinho claimed on Thursday.
”I know what the club want for the future and we want the same. We all know that this season was a good start — not the end, but the start,” the 42-year-old said after signing a fresh five-year contract.
Mourinho’s new deal, which replaces the three-year contract he signed when joining Chelsea from Porto last year, is reported to be worth up to £5-million (R57,1-million) before bonuses or commercial deals.
Even though Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League in the semifinals by Liverpool on Tuesday, Mourinho’s new deal has restored optimism for next season ahead of this weekend’s title celebrations at Stamford Bridge.
”We want to win more titles and my players are the same. We were very happy with this season, but we want more for our lives and our careers. The club and the owner are the same too.”
His future was called into question only a few weeks ago when he was understood to have been upset by what he perceived as a lack of support over his two-match touchline ban from Uefa.
But he insisted: ”I am delighted to be signing this new contract. My heart is with Chelsea and the fantastic group of players that I have. They have done a great job this season.
”The vision of the owner and the board for the future of Chelsea is also one I want to be part of.
”I am totally behind this project, and their support in achieving it means Chelsea is the place where I will be happiest in my work. I cannot imagine another club or situation where I would be happier.”
Mourinho explained the real importance of a new five-year deal — just 12 months after signing a three-year contract — was to seal his commitment to settling in London.
”To have a five-year contract is very good in family terms,” he told Chelsea TV.
”There is now no doubt that our lives are in London and that is important for my children.
”When my family situation is stable, then that is better for my professional situation, so I can be completely focused towards Chelsea. With the title in our pocket, we can look forward to getting more.
”I think my players will be happy with the news as they will be with me for the next five years.
”It is also good for the fans as I feel we have established a good relationship and they are happy with what I have brought here.”
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon added: ”This is great news for everybody concerned. Both the club and Jose share a long-term vision for the future; that was clear from the moment we first met.
”We talked then about a 10-year plan for Chelsea and Jose wanted to be an integral part of building that.
”The outstanding success of the team this season is a great platform for that building process. As soon as the Carling [League] Cup was won, talks over a new deal began as it was apparent to all sides that a longer commitment was the way forward.
”This deal demonstrates Jose’s commitment to Chelsea and also our certainty that he is the best manager to take the club into a new, exciting and successful era.”
Mourinho was already the best-paid manager in the Premiership, with estimated total earnings — including bonuses and commercial deals — of £5,1-million (R58,2-million) this season, according to a survey released by France Football magazine. — Sapa-AFP