Chelsea are set to follow their Premier League victory with some more good news, as negotiations are set for discussing a contract extension for manager Jose Mourinho, as reported here by The Guardian. Mourinho arrived at Stamford Bridge for his second spell in charge of the Blues in 2013, and signed a four-year deal. But after tasting success in the league this year, and building a squad that looks set to dominate for years to come, he is set to be rewarded with a two-year extension.
It has been common practice for Mourinho thus far in his career to lead a club to success in every competition possible and then leave to seek pastures new. He has won league titles in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain in the last decade or so. But detractors have often said that his inability to stick to one club for more than 3-4 seasons mars his record.
With Chelsea though, Mourinho shares a special bond. This was obvious right from his first season in West London back in the 2004/05 campaign. After calling himself ‘The Special One’ in his first press conference, he delivered the club’s first league win in 50 years. The fans at Stamford Bridge are completely sold out to him. To them, he can do no wrong. When he left in September 2007 after an unceremonious fall-out with owner Roman Abramovich, there was a feeling that the love story was not really over.
Now, Mourinho has made it clear that he is Chelsea through and through. It is only a matter of time before he signs the deal. “I’m not here thinking about my next move because I don’t want to have a next move,” he said earlier this year. “I’m here to stay. I belong to Chelsea, Chelsea belong to me. I gave a lot to Chelsea in the past but they also gave a lot to me.”
After his arrival in 2004, Mourinho completely revamped the squad and introduced several fresh faces. In the process, he laid the foundation for the next decade. Even after he left the club, Chelsea continued to taste success, winning a Premier League, a Champions League and 3 FA Cups.
But now, nearly every component of that side has done its time and left. The process of rebuilding was once again assigned to Mourinho. And once again, he has delivered. Even though it took one trophyless season to get there, the Portuguese has built a team that has the potential to dominate England for years and years to come. And unlike last time, the Special One looks set to stay for the long haul.