What Jose Mourinho has already said about Chelsea return after AS Roma sacking

Former Chelsea manager and Blues legend Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Serie A side Roma after nearly three years in charge at the Stadio Olimpico.

The 60-year-old took on the role in May 2021, less than one month after being dismissed from his role at Tottenham Hotspur, and went on to lead his side to the Europa Conference League title in 2022 and the Europa League final in 2023. However, sitting five points off the Champions League qualifying spots in the Serie A this season proved enough for the club to part ways with the 'Special One'.

Mourinho had compared himself to Harry Potter while managing the club, suggesting that his high profile had led to expectations above Roma's reality, and was thanked for his 'passion and commitment' by owners Dan and Ryan Friedkin today. A statement read: "We will always have great memories of his stewardship, but we believe that, in the best interests of the club, immediate change is necessary."

While in Italy, Mourinho had been linked with the vacant Chelsea job following the sacking of Graham Potter and before the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino. Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport suggested that Todd Boehly reached out to Mourinho over the role but that the manager refused to enter discussions over the vacancy and was happy at AS Roma.

In the hours after news of Mourinho's sacking, links to Chelsea have once again grown with Pochettino still looking for consistency at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have won three on the bounce and are in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but Pochettino is sixth in the Premier League sack race with performances still unconvincing at times.

The Special One did send an intriguing message to Chelsea at the end of last season before Pochettino arrived at the Bridge. He told BT Sport: "Of course, my English connection is Chelsea, that's the way I see things, as a Chelsea man after two periods of Chelsea and six years."

It appears Mourinho, who managed the club between 2004-2007 and 2013-2015, would never completely rule out a third stint at his beloved Chelsea. The Portugese manager picked up three Premier League titles, an FA Cup and three League Cups at the club. However, the boss had also previously backed Chelsea to thrive once again without his stewardship.

In May 2022, Mourinho said: "It's a difficult moment and you can even feel it at the football level because they have lost that level of excellence and stability. But this is at the moment, you know.

"If you ask me do I have someone I would like to take over my Chelsea? Then yes I have, but I close my mouth. I just know the club has reached such a level that it doesn't matter who it's with, Chelsea will always be Chelsea. Chelsea will always be. And my house will always be 200 metres from the stadium and I want to keep listening to the sound of happiness and success and I'm pretty sure it's going to be like that."