I would have turned down every team for Chelsea – Mourinho

Recently appointed as Chelsea coach again, the Portuguese sought to downplay the idea, which is widely believed, that he was desperate for the Manchester United job.

“I am so happy with his [Ferguson’s] trust because it was big news for the world – I can imagine that just a very small circle around him knew that, and it was a big responsibility for me to know that,” he said.

“Why do I know that? Because we are friends, so if I am his friend to know that he is going to retire, he is also my friend to know that the club I want to coach in England is Chelsea.

“Of course I told him I want to come to Chelsea. I would turn down every job in the world for Chelsea.”