Redknapp 'would love' to see Mourinho return to Chelsea

Posted Monday, March 11, 2013 by Goal.com

The QPR boss believes the Real Madrid coach is the man to bring success back to the Stamford Bridge outfit, who are "a shadow" of the team they were under the Portuguese

Harry Redknapp says he "would love" to see Jose Mourinho return to Chelsea next season and believes the Portuguese would bring success back to the Premier League side.

'The Special One' is rumoured to be unsettled at Real Madrid and, despite their recent victories over Barcelona and Manchester United in the Copa del Rey and Champions League respectively, reports still indicate the 50-year-old is likely to depart the Bernabeu at the end of the season.

Speaking in his column for The Sun, Redknapp believes a lack of clubs able to "accommodate" Mourinho should he find himself without a club in the summer could see a return to Stamford Bridge take place.

"Should he leave Real Madrid there are only one or two clubs over here which could possibly accommodate him," said Redknapp.

"And, of course, one of those is Chelsea. If Rafa Benitez leaves in the summer then Mourinho is red-hot favourite to go back to the club where the fans still sing his name, back to an owner with lots of money and back to a squad which only needs a bit of tinkering with to become world class again."

Mourinho enjoyed three trophy-laden years at Chelsea, leading them to back-to-back Premier League titles as well as two league cup and one FA Cup success, before an acrimonious relationship with owner Roman Abramovich led to a sudden departure in September 2007.
"Mourinho has the art of management down to a tee," continued Redknapp.

"Look where he has been and what the clubs are like once he leaves. Inter are now a shadow of what it was when he was there. Chelsea have never been the consistent force they were in his day."

Redknapp also dismissed the notion that a return would cause controversy at Stamford Bridge, citing his own return to Portsmouth in 2005.

He added: "Controversy follows him around because he often seems to say what is on his mind and why not? People always seem to think managers need to be boring and colourless.

"People also say never go back but I did - to Portsmouth. True, the circumstances were a little bit different as they were bottom of the league but going back to a club you have managed before is not a problem.

"Roman Abramovich is still there and still has plenty of money to invest. Some of the players are still there too. It would be a great reunion and one I would love to see."