BBC SPORT
Mourinho and Abramovich clear air
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he and club owner
Roman Abramovich held clear-the-air talks at Stamford Bridge last
week.
A rift between the pair overshadowed Chelsea's efforts last
season.
But speaking in Los Angeles, Mourinho said: "It was a long and
enjoyable meeting. I was more than delighted. The air is clear and
there's no problem."
Chelsea's tour got off to a good start as new signing Florent
Malouda scored in a 2-1 win over Club America.
Malouda struck a 75th-minute equaliser before setting up skipper
John Terry to head in the winner.
New signings Tal Ben Haim and Steve Sidwell also tasted their first
action in a Chelsea shirt but Blues fans will be more pleased to
hear news of Mourinho and Abramovich's reconciliation.
BBC Five Live correspondent Nigel Adderley is in Los Angeles and
reported: "A breakdown of communications last season and seemed to
suggest Mourinho was on his way out of Chelsea.
"But their first formal meeting for six months has cleared the air
and now the manager is hopeful of staying for another four years at
least."
Mourinho's contract ends in 2010 and he said he would be happy to
see it out - and could even stay longer.
"I am in my fourth season here and if I can carry on five, six,
seven, eight years, then I will go on without any problem," he
said.
I want to go back to wingers and play attacking football
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho
"I have no desire to change and try something different in Italy or
Spain. I don't have that desire.
"I want to stay - and if Chelsea had wanted to make a change, they
would have done it by now."
Looking ahead to the new season, Mourinho sent a warning to
midfielder Michael Ballack, saying he is looking to ditch the
diamond formation which best suits the German star.
"I want to go back to wingers and play attacking football,"
Mourinho explained. "The objective of having players like Robben,
Cole, Malouda and Kalou is because we want to give width to our
game, to give speed, to give creativity.
"I don't want to play football with a diamond any more.
"So I don't think it will be easy for Ballack. But he's a top
player, a top personality and I think he's the kind of guy ready to
fight for a place."
Story from BBC SPORT:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6899379.stm
Published: 2007/07/15 06:09:01 GMT
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I just love this report so much! 