'I needed revenge, because football belongs to people like me' - Mourinho

Ciaran Varley - BBC Sport JournalistMon, August 10, 2026 at 1:44 PM UTC

0

Jose Mourinho was sacked by Roman Abramovich at both of his Chelsea spells in 2007 and 2015.

The veteran manager said that his former boss became increasingly interfering during his first spell at the club, including pushing for the signing of Andriy Shevchenko.

The Ukraine striker joined Chelsea in May 2006 for a then club record fee of approximately £30m, but scored only nine league goals in 48 games over a three-year spell in West London.

"Abramovich - incredible passion for football, but knowing nothing about the situation," Mourinho said on the new Netflix documentary series about his career.

"Shevchenko was on the table because of connections with the boss, connections with agents and I never wanted to sign him, but I never told no-one, so it's also my responsibility. You want to know the player that I wanted? [Samuel] Eto'o."

Advertisement

Following his dismissal by the Russian oligarch in September 2007, Mourinho had a chance for revenge when he returned to Stamford Bridge in March 2010 with Inter Milan in the last 16 of the Champions League. The Italian side beat Chelsea 1-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, in a season when they went on to lift the trophy.

"Honestly, I was playing against Roman that game," Mourinho said.

"I was playing against a guy that sacked me. I go home happy and he goes home upset. Because I know how much he loved Chelsea, I know how much he loves to win.

"But I needed revenge, because football belongs to people like me. The other ones are the intruders that don't belong. Football belongs to the players, belongs to the coaches, belongs to the fans. Football will always belong to us."

Read more from Mourinho on his career so far

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”