Speaking ahead of his testimonial Michael Ballack has backed Jose Mourinho for a successful return to Stamford Bridge for a second spell as Chelsea boss.
The big news was finally confirmed yesterday – everyone knew it was imminent. Mourinho wasted no time as he went straight to work today, visiting both the stadium as well as the Cobham training facility for a series of meetings.
Ballack played under the Portuguese coach when he signed for Chelsea on a free transfer in 2006 and Mourinho will manage a World XI against a Ballack and Friends side tomorrow night.
On Mourinho’s ‘second coming’, Ballack said:
“To have Jose Mourinho at Chelsea is a fantastic decision.
“He is a great character and a great coach. Even at his age he has had unbelievable success.
“To go back to a club like this, it is never a bad decision. Chelsea are a fantastic club – they won the Champions League last year and this year the Europa League.
“The money will be right for him, the fans love him, he has a lot of English supporters, even if they don’t support Chelsea.
“Altogether it is a great package for him.”
Bayer Leverkusen’s Andre Schurrle is also set to take part in the testimonial game and the media are already using his links to Chelsea to claim that Mourinho will use the opportunity to seal the deal to bring the winger to Stamford Bridge. Bayer’s general manager Rudi Voller is the coach of the opposition whilst Schurrle’s father, who is also his image consultant, will be in attendance.
But it isn’t the German international that needs to be convinced as he’s keen on the move. Voller has already said that the player can go once a replacement has been secured and it’s Kevin De Bruyne’s reluctance to sign for the Bundesliga club that may be holding up the deal. There has also been rumours that as it has hit a snag it’s only a matter of time before Chelsea decide to end their interest and look elsewhere, although this could be a threat to get Bayer to pull their finger out.
Source: Sky Sports
