Jose Mourinho has released his first statement following his dismissal as Chelsea manager on Thursday, indicating that he will remain living in London and is not “tired” or looking for a break from football.
In the statement, released in conjunction with the CAA agency based in Los Angeles, Mourinho indicated that he is looking forward to returning to work and drew parallels with the success he enjoyed after leaving Chelsea in 2007.
Read the statement in full below:
“Jose Mourinho is pleased that he returned to Chelsea football club because he was able to give the fans another Premier League title, which they had not won for many years. He is immensely proud of his eight trophies at Chelsea, and thanks the fans for all their support throughout his two spells at the club.
“During his career, Jose has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave.
“Each time represents for him the end of a cycle, and the opportunity to start a new one. José hopes that his future after Chelsea this time will be as successful as when he left the club in 2007.
“He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn’t tired, he doesn’t need it, he is very positive, and is already looking forward.
“Because of his love of football, you will see José at football grounds working and supporting friends. He will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future.
“Jose will remain living in London and hopes he and his family will be given the opportunity to do this privately.
“Jose will not speak about his current situation for the foreseeable future. He asks the media to respect this decision.”
