Mourinho set for lucrative deal

Chelsea hope to complete the signing of new boss Jose Mourinho next week as they put the final touches to what could be the most lucrative managerial contract in English football history.

It is understood the Porto coach could be in London as early as tomorrow to begin talks with Chelsea about taking charge at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho has already confirmed the sport’s worst-kept secret, namely that he intends to leave Porto following their Champions League success to join Chelsea.

“I have some offers in my wallet but one which I very much want to accept, which is that from Chelsea,” he told Portuguese channel Sport TV.

Chelsea are still hoping that other leading clubs do not attempt to hijack the deal, especially now that Mourinho has proved his abilities by lifting the Champions League trophy with Porto.

However, there is confidence at Stamford Bridge that Mourinho will soon agree final terms on a four-year contract with Chelsea that could net him up to £4m (€6m) a year.

That would pave the way for an official announcement early next week that Claudio Ranieri is leaving the club, albeit once his pay-off of up to £7m (€10.5m) is confirmed.

Mourinho, 41, nevertheless still needs to sort out his departure from Porto amid the aftermath of their bitter-sweet Champions League celebrations, with the club obviously concerned that he may take star players such as Deco with him.

However, he is understood to have given his word to Chelsea several weeks ago, while Ranieri was still trying to lead the Blues into the Champions League final, that he would come to London.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and owner Roman Abramovich flew to northern Spain ahead of the first leg of their semi-final tie in Monaco to speak to Mourinho’s agent.

The deal was said to have been agreed in principle at that point, with Ranieri’s tactical misjudgements in Monaco having only served to confirm Abramovich’s decision.

While some reports indicated the Russian was also impressed with Monaco coach Didier Deschamps, Mourinho then gave his word when he travelled to Stamford Bridge to watch the second leg.

“The club I gave my word to, I would be favourite to go to – I don’t change my mind,” he added after Porto defeated Monaco 3-0 in the final in Gelsenkirchen. “I think in the next [few] days everything will be clear.“

Kenyon was present to watch last night’s game and, while attempting to side-step questions over Ranieri, he also seemed to indicate that an announcement was imminent.

“I think we’ve got to get things resolved next week and start planning for next season. Claudio and I had a good meeting this week on players,” he revealed.

“This isn’t a holiday period for us, this is about preparing for next season. We’re fully involved in that process and that’s what we’ll be getting on with next week.“

In a tribute to Mourinho and Deschamps, he added: “I think what you’ve got in this game are probably the two best young coaches in Europe.

“These guys are going to continue their careers, they’ve done tremendously well to get here as we know first-hand from one of them.“

Mourinho’s arrival will, almost inevitably, spark more transfer activity at Chelsea, with several players leaving, but Joe Cole is hoping not to be one of the departures.

Everton have already revealed their interest in taking the 22-year-old England midfielder on loan, but he wants to stay and fight for his place.

“I really want to make it work at Chelsea. They are a club who are really going places and I really want to be part of that,” Cole told the Evening Standard.

“There looks as though there could be a new manager in place and I want to be given a chance at both club and international level.

“My real wish is to play at the top of a diamond formation. All I’ve ever wanted is a manager to say ’go and play there and show what you can do’.

“I’ve never had that at club football. It’s going to be my best position, I am sure, and I have to find a manager who will put his trust in me and give me a run there.“