Branislav Ivanović: Chelsea players would love Jose Mourinho return

Branislav Ivanović and his Chelsea team-mates would love to see Jose Mourinho return to the Stamford Bridge helm this summer.

The Portuguese coach has been heavily linked with a move back to west London in recent months and sparked fresh reports of a return when he declared: “I want to be where people want me to be” following Real Madrid’s Champions League exit at the hands of Borussia Dortmund.

Ivanović insists that Chelsea’s players are not aware of any confirmed deal to bring the 50-year-old back to the Premier League – but admits he would welcome the former Inter Milan manager back to the club.

“As players we don’t have any confirmed information that he would return,” Ivanović is quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“But we would all like it to happen. With him we can be stronger as a club. He is immensely respected by everyone and he has done well at the club in the past.

“With him we can be stronger as a club. It would add another dimension to Chelsea, and it would be sure to help us become one of the main contenders for the title.”

The Portuguese coach guided Chelsea to two Premier League titles and an FA Cup triumph during his spell in charge at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2007.