Great admiration: Chelsea’s manager Jose Mourinho missed out on Steven Gerrard (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has revealed that missing out on bringing Steven Gerrard to Chelsea back in 2005 ranks as the biggest transfer disappointment of his career.

The Blues boss was on the verge of luring the iconic Liverpool captain to Stamford Bridge during his first spell in west London, only for the midfielder to reverse his transfer request at the last minute.

Now, as Gerrard enters the final stretch of his 17-year career with the Reds before he joins LA Galaxy at the end of the season, Mourinho has spoken of his regret at missing the chance to build a team around the England talisman.

‘He (Gerrard) is a historical player for Liverpool, a historical player for the Premier League and an opponent I have always admired and respected,’ Mourinho said.

‘We did everything to try (to sign him) and it was almost there. I was dreaming of (Claude) Makelele, Gerrard and (Frank) Lampard in midfield.

Another big miss: Mourinho wanted Frank Lampard at Inter (Picture: AFP/Getty Images)

‘We were playing in a proper triangle without a number 10 and playing Maka in front of the defenders. Me, Mr Abramovich and (former Chelsea chief executive) Peter Kenyon at that time, we dreamed of that.

‘His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. But to me personally he never said he would come. Never.

‘He (Gerrard) was always a red and I think the decision was right.’

Asked if Gerrrard’s decision to stay at Liverpool was his biggest disappointment in the transfer market, Mourinho said: ‘Yes, but I have another one when I was trying Lampard to Inter.

‘I was almost there and it didn’t happen too. I had a couple of disappointments and that’s normal in football.’

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