Jose not expecting instant joy

11 June 2013 15:09
New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes the squad have "big potential", but warned it must be very much a case of evolution not revolution. The Portuguese coach, 50, was yesterday officially unveiled to an expectant media at Stamford Bridge following his return to the west London club on a four-year contract after leaving Real Madrid. He certainly lived up to his self-proclamation as the Special One when he delivered the league championship in his first season the last time around, which ended Chelsea's 50-year wait and was successfully defended in 2005, not to mention also winning the FA Cup and two League Cup trophies before eventually departing six years ago. However, Mourinho maintains next season must have a double target; to be both competitive over the title race - which is likely to be bolstered by some new faces, with Napoli's £30million-rated striker Edinson Cavani and England forward Wayne Rooney potential targets - but also keep an eye on the future direction of the club as a whole, with the likes of Belgian duo Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne coming very much into the new manager's thinking. "I don't need anybody to push me to have that ambition, I have enough motivation and desire to do it myself," said Mourinho after succeeding interim manager Rafael Benitez, who eventually secured third place and also victory in the Europa League. "We don't do it (win the Premier League next season), but (if we) show an evolution in the season, show we are moving in the right direction, (then) I think we will be champions in the second season and it is not a drama. "It has to be analysed in the proper way, part of a process of formation, that 75 per cent of the guys will be better next season. "When you have this profile, you can't think the best will come next year. It has to come in two, three, four, five, six years' time. "We are speaking about boys with 10 years to play football." Mourinho continued: "These 'kids' - and I say that respectfully - have big potential and big space for improvement. They've not reached their best level yet. "The stability the owner and I can give them is related to work - in the methods, the coaching philosophy, in my leadership, in everything that can help them improve. "When you mix with them those who are over 30, we will keep a balance and try to go on." Mourinho happily admits he missed the competitiveness of the English top flight while he was away, a period when he secured another European Cup title at Inter Milan and then won the Primera Division in his second season with Real Madrid. The new Blues boss believes he returns to a domestic league which is at its most open for many years, with three of last season's top four sides all set to start the campaign with new managers. "It is different (now)," he said. "In terms of quality, I don't think it's better, to be fair, but in terms of competitiveness, it is harder. "In our (last) time, there were three teams. Who is first, who is second, who is third? But everyone knew it would be between us, United and Arsenal. "In this moment, (Manchester) City have appeared with this fantastic economical power that helps them to go up so fast as they did. "Tottenham had a very good period with Harry (Redknapp), reaching the fourth spot, playing Champions League, going up and up and up. "Andre (Villas-Boas), last year, did a good job by keeping the team at that level and I think they have conditions to fight for the Premier League (title), not just a Champions League spot. "And Liverpool, I know Brendan (Rodgers) and I know he can do it. I don't speak so much with him now on the phone. Last year I did, as friends, and I know his ideas, his project, and Liverpool will go up too. "So there are six teams. Who's going to be first, who's going to be sixth? I don't know, but for sure it's the most important league in Europe and we'll try to raise it more."

Source: team_talk