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Chelsea officially announce Mourinho return

Jose Mourinho has returned to Chelsea © PA Photos

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Chelsea have confirmed the return of Jose Mourinho as the club's manager, after the Portuguese signed a four-year deal at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho had been widely expected to return to the Blues even before ending his tenure at Real Madrid after Saturday's final La Liga fixture, after revealing that he wanted to go where he was "loved".

"I know in England I am loved," he said in May. "I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one."

He now returns to the club he left by mutual agreement back in 2007, with Chelsea describing him as the "outstanding candidate" to succeed interim coach Rafa Benitez as the side's permanent manager.

"I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea," chief executive Ron Gourlay said. "His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

"It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our No. 1 choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that.

"He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again."

Mourinho brings three of his coaching staff with him, in Rui Faria, Silvino Louro and Jose Morais. They will work alongside existing backroom staff members Steve Holland, Christophe Lollichon and Chris Jones.

Mourinho's first spell in West London begin in 2004, when he announced his arrival on these shores by declaring himself "a special one", having just won the Champions League with Porto. He immediately delivered the Premier League title in his first season at the club, also claiming the League Cup with an extra-time victory over Liverpool.

A second title followed a year later, while a third season at the helm saw him deliver both the League Cup and the FA Cup. But he fell out with Blues owner Roman Abramovich soon after, eventually departing by mutual consent in September 2007 after a mediocre start to the new campaign.

Since then Mourinho has added numerous trophies to his collection - claiming the Champions League, Coppa Italia and two Serie A titles with Inter Milan, before adding La Liga and Copa del Rey victories during his three-year stint in Madrid.

The 50-year-old is due to be reintroduced to the British media on June 10.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.