Despite his comments after Real Madrid’s UCL exit to Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, Jose Mourinho’s move to Chelsea next season is not yet a done deal, theGuardian reports, saying that politics could stand in the way of the ‘Special One’s’ return to his former home. For example, Mourinho wants more power at Chelsea than he hadduring his three-year spell as coach in the mid-2000s, particularly control over the club’s transfer policy. This is the very issue that led to his acrimonious departure in 2007. According tothe report, Chelsea is unyielding about keeping its existing structure, which involves CEO Ron Gourlay, technical director Michael Emenalo and possibly, former coachAvram Grant as director of football.
While the appointment of the latter would irk Mourinho, Chelsea remains his first-choice and Mourinho remains Chelsea’s firstchoice, although the issues of power and payment are still up in the air. The report also claims that the possibility of Chelsea not qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League is not acondition of Mourinho’s return. Rather, the club is more concerned about needing UCL funds to balance its books ahead of UEFA’s implementation of financial fair play. Mourinho wants toreturn to Stamford Bridge regardless.
Paris Saint-Germain is also after the Portuguese tactician and is expected to compete for his signature should current coach CarloAncelotti leave for Real this summer, as many expect. Chelsea, meanwhile, continues to sound out other candidates, too, like Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini.