Benfica head coach José Mourinho has reignited debate over his legacy at Chelsea, insisting he remains the club’s most successful manager ahead of their UEFA Champions League meeting at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese tactician pointed to his record of three Premier League titles and multiple domestic trophies as proof of his enduring status at the west London club.
“Chelsea is a winning machine that has, in the past two or three years, had a moment without trophies,” Mourinho said. “They won something before my time, then my team kept winning, and then a transformation of new teams, new coaches, and more trophies. European trophies, the biggest one and the Champions League. I am the biggest one until someone wins four.”
Mourinho, who managed Chelsea across two separate spells between 2004 and 2015, guided the Blues to three league crowns, an FA Cup, and three League Cups. No manager in the club’s history has surpassed his Premier League haul, with only Roberto Di Matteo and Thomas Tuchel delivering the UEFA Champions League title.
Tuesday’s encounter at Stamford Bridge adds another layer of intrigue, with Mourinho returning as Benfica boss to face the side where he first rose to prominence in English football.
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