Blues boss Mourinho ‘frustrated’ by last season’s failures

Duncan Bech
Blues boss Mourinho ‘frustrated’ by last season’s failures

The Blues romped to the Premiership title, finishing 12 points clear of defending champions Arsenal, but the failure to complete a clean sweep of trophies rankles with Mourinho.

However, the Portuguese boss has targeted another double as the minimum return from next season.

"I'm frustrated because I didn't win everything. I'm very happy because we won the Premiership and Carling Cup but frustrated because we lost in the Champions League and FA Cup, especially the Champions League," he said.

"At the start of the season I want to win everything and of course we won't. It's difficult I did it in Portugal. Domestic competition in Portugal is one thing and in England it's another.

"It could be done 10 years ago, but in modern times it's very difficult. Two out of four was fantastic. Next season we have five competitions, including the Charity Shield. So if out of five, we win two or three, great."

Defending their Premiership crown remains Chelsea's main objective next season but Mourinho still dreams of repeating his European heroics with Porto, the club he steered to Champions League glory. "The winners of European competitions are not always the best team. In knockout competitions there is always the space for a surprise, for an unfair situation," he said.

"Liverpool had 37 points less than us in the Premiership but they are European champions. The team that wins the domestic league is always the best. So I think the objective is to win domestically and repeat.

"In European football you have to fight. At Porto I was lucky consecutively with the UEFA Cup and Champions League, and perhaps this season unlucky in the Champions League. Maybe next season I can get it again."

Mourinho has yet to make his first big-name signing of the summer following Steven Gerrard's decision to stay at Liverpool, although he is expected to prise Shaun Wright- Phillips away from Manchester City by the end of the week.

But the Chelsea boss does not believe he needs to recruit fresh faces, instead using his forays into the market as a motivational tool to draw the best from his star-studded squad.

"I hope the hunger will still be there that's what we're aiming for. When you decide to bring in two or three new players it's to bridge a new reality. Nobody knows who is going to play," he said.

"Didier Drogba had a good season, so did Eidur Gudjohnsen, but if I bring in a new striker who will be first choice? Nobody knows. Even if you don't need it, you bring them in to motivate the team. In reality I could say I don't need another midfielder, I have enough.

"If you don't need it from the football point of view, you need it from the mental point of view. A player cannot think that because I was good, I have my place and because I have my place I don't need to have the same commitment.

"For a manager it is difficult, especially after success. You can think you don't need new players and you don't push. You can't be emotional, you have to think of the most important thing and you have to think about the club."

Mourinho dismissed last season's reports he was considering his Chelsea future in the wake of the touchline ban imposed by UEFA when the Champions League showdowns with Barcelona turned sour.

"I was never thinking about leaving the club. The club was always supporting me, especially when the truth came out. I was suspended but after that the world of football could understand what was going on.

"I was suspended, it was hard for me but the truth is out. At that time I was relieved and I was open to talks with Chelsea to stay for a long period."

More in this section

Sport

Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers. and reporters

Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited