Chelsea dismiss exit talk
20 Feb 2007 - 08:02:42
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- Chelsea dismiss exit talk
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has rubbished speculation that Jose Mourinho will quit the club in the summer and insists both the coach and midfielder Frank Lampard will be at Stamford Bridge next season.
Mourinho's future has been the subject of intense speculation with the Portuguese coach reportedly unhappy with the decision not to strengthen his squad during the transfer window.
The relationship between Mourinho and club owner AS Roman Abramovich is also believed to be strained adding to the rumours of discontent.
Similarly, Lampard has been linked with a summer exit with new contract discussions between the club and the England international believed to be dragging on.
However, Buck believes Lampard will stay at Stamford Bridge for the "long term" after joining captain John Terry in signing a new deal.
"We're in the process of renegotiating the contracts for Frank Lampard and John Terry and there is goodwill on both sides in both of those discussions," he told Sky Sports News.
"I am hopeful both will sign revised contracts and be here in the long term.
"To put the record straight, the manager, the board and the owner will never agree on all things at all times.
"There have been many discussions over the last few years and at the end of them we have always come out with a unified course of action.
"I think he has more than the support he needs. We love Jose Mourinho. He's done a great job here and brought a lot of silverware in a short period of time."
Asked whether Mourinho would stay beyond the end of the current season, Buck replied: "I do and I hope so too.
"Jose has said to us that he has not had any discussion with other clubs and I believe him."