Jose Mourinho admits he is disappointed that he won’t get the chance to pit his wits against Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson next season.
The self-professed “Happy One” was officially unveiled as the new Chelsea manager on Monday afternoon after sealing a much-anticipated return to Stamford Bridge last week.
Mourinho, who has penned a four-year deal with the Blues, led the west London side to two Premier League titles before Ferguson’s United took back their crown in 2007.
The Scot, 71, retired at the end of the season after guiding United to a 13th Premier League title, and Mourinho is sad that he won’t see Ferguson patrolling the Old Trafford touchline next term.
“I am still a bit disappointed that I am back and I will go to Old Trafford and Sir Alex Ferguson won’t be there. As a manager, I am still a bit disappointed,” said Mourinho.
However, the new Blues boss believes Ferguson’s successor David Moyes, who is set to sign a six-year deal on 1 July, will do a good job for the Red Devils.
He continued: “David [Moyes] has the experience and protection by the club to do his job and do it well.”
Mourinho will be greeted by a number of familiar faces throughout the course of the Premier League campaign.
He knocked Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal off their perch in 2005, while Liverpool’s Brendan Rodgers, Tottenham Hotspur boss Andre Villas-Boas and West Brom manager Steve Clarke have all worked under Mourinho.
The Chelsea manager is thrilled to see Wenger still in The Emirates hot-seat and wished his former coaches the very best at their respective clubs next season.
“Arsene Wenger is there and I am happy he is there,” he added.
“The three boys – and when I say boys mean it in the right way and with the right feeling – Andre [Villas-Boas], Brendan [Rodgers] and Steve [Clarke] are in this league and I am more than happy to play against them.
“I don’t mean play against them as Chelsea plays against Liverpool, Tottenham and West Brom. But I am more than happy to be in the same league as them and I wish them all the best.”
He continued: “I look forward to what the Premier League is. For the last three years, I’ve been involved in a two-horse race.
“Now I have moved to a league that you lose more times and you lose more points. The competition is open.”