|
Jose Mourinho has signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea. The Blues announced Mourinho's new deal on the eve of the Premier League season opener with Swansea. The Portuguese, who is in his second spell at Stamford Bridge, won the Capital One Cup and Premier League title last term for the Blues. The new deal ties the self-proclaimed Special One to Chelsea until June 2019. The 52-year-old said on Chelsea's website: "If the club is happy, I am happy. I think this is a normal thing for me to sign a new contract. It is important we have this continuity and I hope we can enjoy more success in the future -- for the fans, the players and the club. "I said when I returned here two years ago that I have a special feeling for this club and nothing changed. It is the club closest to my heart and I am very happy to know I will be staying here for a long time." Mourinho had a highly successful first spell with Chelsea from June 2004 to September 2007, winning back-to-back Premier League titles in his first two seasons. His third Premier League crown last term was Chelsea's first championship in five years, since 2009-10. Following his return to west London, the former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss has often spoken of his desire to stay at Chelsea for as long as owner Roman Abramovich wants him. And it appears the feeling is mutual. Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia said: "We are very happy that Jose has committed four more years to the club. "Since his arrival two years ago he has carefully developed the playing squad and brought trophies to Stamford Bridge. "We look forward to the next four years and the continued success of the team." Mourinho may have committed his long-term future to Chelsea, but he is aware of the danger of standing still as they prepare to begin the defence of their Premier League title. Chelsea have made two signings -- goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and striker Radamel Falcao, who signed on loan from Monaco despite a poor spell at Manchester United -- ahead of Saturday's season-opener with Swansea, while their title rivals have spent more freely. But Mourinho, who signed a new four-year deal on Friday, is adamant that change for change's sake is unnecessary and improvement is possible without making numerous signings. "If you stand still you get worse. It's right. It's dangerous," Mourinho said. "But the same people can move forward. You don't need to buy 10 players to be a better team. "You can be a better team with one or two new players. You can be a better team with the same people. Providing Diego Costa is fit -- and that is by no means certain -- Mourinho could start the season with the same first-choice XI which he deployed last term in Chelsea's dominant title triumph. He hopes the continuity will have benefits in both the performance on the field and in the players' mentality. He added: "The biggest advantage is for them to think together and say together: 'My club and my manager trust me so much. They believe in me. Now it's my time, now it's our time to give it back and to give my manager, to give my board, my club, a proper answer.' "They deserve our confidence, but I think now is our time to deserve a compensation of that and for the players to give us everything they have and to keep the level of ambition and motivation."
|
