24 July 2007, by Sean Gillen

Watch out for exciting Chelsea says Mourinho

Portuguese coach pledges to change his abrasive image

Jose Mourinho says he hopes to change the way he is viewed in football during the upcoming season, and also stated he aims to create a more exciting brand of football at Stamford Bridge.

The Portuguese coach has received criticism at times for his conduct throughout his managerial career, but insists he is now ready to undergo a change in image.

“This year I will be more mellow, yes, mellow,” Mourinho told the Guardian. “I’ve thought about it and it’s something I want to do.”

“I am what I am, but people use my personality to create something that is not true. If I am emotional or react to something I think is not fair, it is normal. But, over the last couple of years, people have created an image that is not correct. I should not feed it. Instead, I’ll be mellow.”

“At the beginning of my career I was always ready for a change. But I am happy here, so why should I change? A player’s career is very short and they have to do everything in the same day because, bang, their career could be over like that. My career is still young and I have many, many years in front of me. I do not have to be in a hurry. I have to be calm, cool and relaxed.”

Everything clear at Chelsea

“It’s the first time I have started a fourth season with a club, but it was always the intention to keep going. I did a good job at Chelsea for three years and I want to do more. Things between me and the club are good, very good, and everything is completely clear. We understand each other and we have a common project.”

Throughout last season’s title battle, it was often observed that Manchester United represented an attractive brand of football, while Chelsea’s approach was less appealing to the neutrals. Now, Mourinho has expressed a desire to improve the team’s style on the pitch, with an emphasis on width.

“Against a big team like us, the tendency is for our opponents to close us down, so we must open things up. Width is important in a team like ours, and with the quality of our wingers we have to use them. Last season we had no options, no wingers to play and no players to change, and it was just about survival. Now I want better results and to be more entertaining.”

“Normally, results are balanced. Beauty is a controversial concept in football but, for me, it is about control through possession and allowing the creative players to play. Our wingers can bring that. Last season we played very well as a team with the resources available, but not with the same flair and the same dynamism of previous years. This season we have to go for it.”