Jose Mourinho has again hinted that he could return to Stamford Bridge in the summer after his Real Madrid side were eliminated from the Champions League yesterday evening.
The 50 year old said after the game: “I know in England I am loved. I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one”.
When asked if he will be at the Bernabeu next year, he simply said: “Maybe not”, before being abruptly cut off by ITV when explaining where he wants to manage next.
Interim manager Rafael Benitez has confirmed that he will not be at the club beyond this season, and Mourinho has long been the favourite to again take the reins.
The two time Champions League winner, who left Chelsea in acrimonious circumstances back in 2007, has been urged by members of the playing staff to come back to the club, with Branislav Ivanovic telling a Serbian newspaper that: “Everyone who loves Chelsea hopes Mourinho will return”.
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard could be handed a one year extension on his contract once the new manager has been put in place, according to The Independent.
It had looked that the midfielder, who is one away from equalling Bobby Tambling’s all time goal scoring record for the club, would leave at the end of the season, but it has now been suggested that a new deal could be announced in the summer.