'Proud' Jose settles contract
21 Sep 2007 - 07:21:15
Jose Mourinho has thanked the fans for providing the "never-ending love story" after agreeing a settlement package following his Chelsea exit.
The Portuguese coach agreed a settlement package with the Stamford Bridge club late on Thursday following his exit by mutual consent 24 hours previously.
The figure ranges from a reported £12-£25million as the former FC Porto still had three years remaining on a contract believed to be worth around £6million per year.
Director of football Avram Grant has already been named his replacement, but Mourinho has thanked the club and its fans for providing a memorable chapter in his career.
"I am very proud of my work in Chelsea Football Club and I think my decision in May 2004 to come to England was an excellent one," he told the club's official website in a statement.
"It was a beautiful and rich period of my career. I want to thank all Chelsea FC supporters for what I believe is a never ending love story.
"I wish great success to the club, a club that will be forever connected to me for some historic moments.
"I wish the players happiness in football and in their family life."
However, Mourinho has hinted his future could lie away from English football after ending his statement with the line: "Finally on my wife's and children' s behalf, we thank the great professionalism of their school teachers and the beauty of so many friends."
