Mourinho plays down expectations

Jun 13, 2013 - 2:51 AM New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes the squad have "big potential" but warned it must be very much a case of evolution towards a first English Premier League title since 2010.

The Portuguese coach, 50, was officially unveiled to an expectant media at Stamford Bridge this week following his return to the west London club on a four-year contract after leaving Real Madrid.

He certainly lived up to his self-proclamation as the Special One when he delivered the league championship in his first season the last time around, which ended Chelsea's 50-year wait and was successfully defended in 2005, not to mention also winning the FA Cup and two League Cup trophies before eventually departing six years ago.

However, Mourinho maintains next season must have a double target; to be both competitive over the title race - which is likely to be bolstered by some new faces, with Napoli's STG30 million ($A49.95 million) Edinson Cavani and England forward Wayne Rooney potential targets - but also keep an eye on the future direction of the club as a whole.

"I don't need anybody to push me to have that ambition, I have enough motivation and desire to do it myself," said Mourinho after succeeding interim manager Rafael Benitez, who eventually secured third place and also victory in the Europa League.

"We don't do it (win the Premier League next season), but (if we) show an evolution in the season, show we are moving in the right direction, (then) I think we will be champions in the second season and it is not a drama.

"It has to be analysed in the proper way, part of a process of formation, that 75 per cent of the guys will be better next season.

"When you have this profile, you can't think the best will come next year. It has to come in two, three, four, five, six years' time.

"We are speaking about boys with 10 years to play football."

Mourinho continued: "These 'kids' - and I say that respectfully - have big potential and big space for improvement. They've not reached their best level yet.

"The stability the owner and I can give them is related to work - in the methods, the coaching philosophy, in my leadership, in everything that can help them improve.

"When you mix with them those who are over 30, we will keep a balance and try to go on."

Mourinho admits he missed the competitiveness of the English top flight while he was away, a period when he secured another European Cup title at Inter Milan and then won the Primera Division in his second season with Real Madrid.

Source: AAP