New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has spoken for the first time about the challenge he faces in his new role.
“Chelsea represent a fantastic challenge for me. It is a great club with a world-class squad of players,” the 41-year-old Mourinho said.
“We have top players and, sorry if I’m arrogant, but we now have a top manager.”
“The English Premiership is recognised as the best league in the world and I am really excited at the prospect of competing week in, week out at the highest level in England as well as in Europe.
“I have been asked how I will cope with the pressure, how I will cope with these players, how I will cope with the urgent ambition to win titles.
“You don’t have to ask me again because that’s what I live for.”
“English football is a big passion for me. There were some big clubs chasing me very hard.
“This was a fantastic position for me and the people in my boat, and Chelsea was a perfect choice for me.
Quizzed about the possibility that the job may be too big for him, Mourinho responded: “I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I think I am a special manager because I have won the Champions League.”
He also hinted that the current Chelsea squad will need to be reduced.
“If all the names I was supposed to be signing arrive, I would have a squad of 50 players.
“I won’t work with big squads. I like small squads. I will have 21 outfield players, plus the goalkeepers, because this is the right amount for the specific work we want to do.”
Mourinho also emphasised the importance of developing a team ethos within the squad.
‘I am a great defender of team spirit and teamwork. The first thing I have to promise to my players is that I will look at them with the same eyes…. I do not want special relations with one of them.
‘I hate to speak about players individually. Players do not win trophies, squads win trophies.
‘I cannot say I love this player, I love players who love to win. They not only win in 90 minutes, but every day, every training session, in every moment of their lives.’
