I’m more scared of the swan than football, says Mourinho

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho admitted yesterday that he was scared by the arrival of bird flu in Britain.

At a news conference yesterday, instead of discussing the prospect of his team surrendering their Premiership lead to Manchester United, the Portuguese coach said he was far more anxious about the possibility of contracting the deadly virus.

“For me, pressure is bird flu. I’m serious. I’m feeling a lot of pressure with the problem in Scotland,” he said.

He also reacted to suggestions that he was joking about his fear.

“You are laughing but I’m serious - it’s not far. I am more scared of the swan than football. What is football compared to life?

“It’s not fun and I’m more scared of it than football. Football is nothing compared with life.

“For me, bird flu is the drama of the last few days. I’ll have to buy a mask.”

Mourinho has seen his team’s 15-point lead whittled down to just seven and Chelsea go into tomorrow’s game against West Ham with rival Alex Ferguson believing the title race is back on in England.