Jose Mourinho made an emotional return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica for a Champions League clash against former club Chelsea, reuniting with ex-player Joe Cole in the process.
The Portuguese boss jokingly told his former winger, now a pundit: “I have to pay you, man. How much I have to pay you?” after Cole’s recent glowing praise.
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Mourinho, who won three Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three League Cups across two spells at Chelsea, received a warm welcome back in west London.
He embraced old staff members and shared a touching moment with Cole, who described Mourinho as Chelsea’s equivalent of Bill Shankly for the way he transformed the club into serial winners.
Cole said he would choose Mourinho as his manager “above all the others” if he could restart his career, hailing his passion and fighting spirit.
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Mourinho returned the favour, branding Cole the “best pundit in history” and insisting his bond with his former players will always remain strong.
The Special One also claimed he will stay Chelsea’s greatest manager until someone surpasses his trophy haul of three Premier League titles with the Blues.
Current coach Enzo Maresca, already a Conference League and Club World Cup winner, faces scrutiny after a poor start — with a defeat to Mourinho’s Benfica set to pile on further pressure.
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