Former Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is the latest to share his views on the unavoidable rumours linking Jose Mourinho with a return to Stamford Bridge and believes that he’s the only man for the job.
Kenyon, who helped appoint Mourinho during his first spell at the club in 2004, says that it would be a recipe for success.
“You’ve one of the best coaches in the world, best owners and one of the best clubs, a hard combination to resist.”
He also argued that with Pep Guardiola out of the equation it leaves just Manuel Pellegrini as an alternative, but he knows who he’d opt for.
“I think Pep Guardiola would have been a candidate, he is not available. Manuel Pellegrini would definitely be looked at.
“If I was looking at Pellegrini or Jose, Jose would win hands down.”
Mourinho ignited speculation following Real Madrid’s Champions League exit at the hands of Borussia Dortmund during the week when he implied that he would like to return to a place where he is loved, later speaking of his own love of England and the good relationship he has with the press there.
For now he has to maintain the ‘I have made no decisions’ party line but it’s Mourinho, we know he has, and everyone knows that it is impossible for anyone to reveal that at this time. Now I’m not saying he’s definitely coming back to Chelsea as Paris Saint-Germain will do whatever it takes to acquire his services, whilst there’s an outside chance he may take another job in the Premier League but I do think his position at the Santiago Bernabeu is untenable, especially as the media campaign against him is growing. The most powerful figures at Real – a core of senior players – are also lobbying for his removal.
Kenyon went on to say that there would be a lot of discussions to be had, perhaps compromises to be made, as Mourinho didn’t depart the club on the best of terms in 2007 but doesn’t think it would stand in the way of anything as both Mourinho and Roman Abramovich want the same thing.
“We are talking about the appointment of one of the best coaches in the world.
“I think they are both very strong individuals. Before this appointment happens, if it happens, there would be a lot of discussions between the two.
“If you talk to both of them now. Jose is very open about his warmth to the Premier League and I am pretty sure that is a similar feeling from Roman.”
I have my reservations about him returning which I have spoken about on this blog before. If he does come back then I think he’ll have to commit to honouring the development plans set out by the youth coaches and Michael Emenalo for our promising young talent and with players like Juan Mata and Eden Hazard in the ranks, it would be criminal not to play expansive and attractive football. He can also be guilty of causing a circus with his controversy and I’m not sure he should even be hinting at the future whilst currently employed by Real, it could be construed as being disrespectful.
However, I have no doubt he will bring winning football with him and will always fight our corner. I also don’t believe that he’s incapable of doing something with longevity, he’s just yet to prove it. If he does come back then I would back him, like I do with any manager.