EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this article was published Chelsea have confirmed that Jose Mourinho will return as manager after signing a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. He will be officially presented as the new Chelsea boss at a press conference on Monday, 10 June.
JOSE MOURINHO will be officially confirmed as the new Chelsea manager this week after agreeing a four-year contract to return to Stamford Bridge. The Times claims that the Special One's reign will begin on 1 July, but says that he will start work in London before then and will take the helm after a short family holiday. "The Portuguese’s name has been sung regularly by Chelsea fans this season and his return will be greeted with almost universal acclaim by the supporters," says the paper. Mourinho flew into London on Sunday to put the finishing touches to the deal, reports the Daily Telegraph. "That Mourinho is to return following his frustrating three-year tenure at Real Madrid is now known for definite," it claims. The 50-year-old oversaw his final game in charge of Spanish giants Real Madrid on Saturday, but received a mixed reception from the crowd at the Bernabeu, which "engaged in a sort of aural civil war", according to the Telegraph. "Led by a noisy gaggle of ultras behind one goal, those who supported Mourinho chanted his name loud and long. But the chants were at times almost drowned out by whistling from other supporters who had grown weary of his provocative turns and theatrics," added the paper. Following that match, a 4-2 win over Osasuna, Real president Florentino Perez confirmed Mourinho's next destination. "Mourinho is going to Chelsea," he said. "Probably on Monday, he will be their new manager. We wish him good luck." That declaration appeared to be enough for the Premier League website, which published an article on Sunday that prematurely announced Mourinho's return and was later forced to apologise. The story, under the headline "Jose Mourinho makes Chelsea return", had today's date on it and a subhead that stated: "Portuguese coach back at Stamford Bridge after signing a XX-year contract." The Premier League described it as a "publishing error" and insisted: "We have no prior knowledge of any movement or any announcement."
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.
Join more than 350,000 subscribers and keep yourself informed with a selection of The Week’s most interesting, enlightening and entertaining stories - plus daily puzzles.