Jose Mourinho has stated he feels 'untouchable' at Stamford
Bridge, with the Chelsea boss further insisting he is happy with
his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich.
Mourinho's future in London had been in some doubt throughout the
season, with reports of a rift emerging in January after the
manager was denied the funds to strengthen his defence at a crucial
juncture in the campaign.
However, The Blues' preparations for next season are already well
underway, as Mourinho has wrapped up deals for free transfers Steve
Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro.
Any latent fears over a possible rift remaining between owner and
manager have now been emphatically put down by Mourinho, with the
Portuguese stating he feels his position is impregnable at Stamford
Bridge.
"Roman is the top man in the club, he has everything in his hands,"
Mourinho told the website,
"I am just the manager responsible for my team and in that point I
feel that I am untouchable.
"Nobody wants to touch me, to interfere, I am completely free to
make my decisions in relation to my team, my methodology, my way of
playing, to my selection of the team.
"So I feel that freedom and I feel that happiness, and Mr
Abramovich is the owner of the club."
The presence of Andrei Shevchenko also reportedly became a bone of
contention between Mourinho and Abramovich, and the Ukrainian
striker has been linked with a return to Milan after just one
season in England.
Shevchenko scored only four league goals last season, and Mourinho
admits he is looking for the striker, and midfielder Michael
Ballack, to give more to the team next season.
"For Ballack I expect more, from Sheva I expect so much more,"
Mourinho added. "He is not an old player - he is not a young player
but he is not an old player - and he has a very good age and
experience and fitness conditions.
"If he is correct here and keeps his ambition to improve, and I
believe so, then everybody is ready to help him become a better
player."
Jose Mourinho was in Africa on a humanitarian mission with
Chelsea's global charity partner, Right to Play.