Football BaBe
Jose Mourinho Praises His Iconic Chelsea Squad as the Ultimate Premier League Force
Discover why the legendary manager still ranks his early 2000s Chelsea team above all others in English football history, while reigniting an old rivalry with a pointed jab at a controversial Champions League moment.
In the ever-evolving world of football, few figures spark as much debate as Jose Mourinho. The charismatic Portuguese tactician, now at the helm of Fenerbahce, recently reflected on his storied career, boldly declaring his first Chelsea outfit from 2004-2006 as the best Premier League team ever. This claim edges out even Arsenal‘s unbeaten ‘Invincibles’ of 2003-2004, thanks to their superior win tally over multiple campaigns. Mourinho also revisited a lingering grudge from the 2005 Champions League semifinals, blaming the absence of modern tech for denying his Blues a shot at European glory against Liverpool’s disputed ‘ghost goal’ by Luis Garcia.
- Mourinho led Chelsea on two separate occasions
- His initial squad dubbed “top PL outfit of all time”
- Still fumes about Liverpool’s 2005 ‘phantom strike’
Mourinho’s Bold Assertion on Chelsea’s Dominance in Premier League History
The Fenerbahce boss insists that his Chelsea team from the mid-2000s stands as the pinnacle of Premier League excellence, surpassing Arsenal’s undefeated run in 2003-04 due to accumulating more victories overall. He further lamented that the lack of goal-line technology robbed them of a Champions League triumph in 2005, pointing to the notorious ‘ghost goal’ scored by Liverpool’s Luis Garcia during the semifinals.
Reflecting on Career Highlights in Recent Interview
During a candid chat with Canal 11, Mourinho was questioned about the squad that most embodied his coaching philosophy. He responded: “My time at FC Porto left a lasting legacy. But Chelsea, that was the greatest Premier League squad in history. Two decades have passed since then. Sure, Arsenal went unbeaten, but that was just one year. We outdid their invincibility across two full seasons. They notched 38 victories; we claimed 46, even if distributed over those years. They were exceptional, no doubt. Our Champions League dreams were dashed without goal-line tech. At Inter, we conquered it all. Then there’s Roma, which brought me immense joy. I won’t say we turned water into wine-that’d undermine my team’s efforts-but lifting the Conference League trophy and making it to the Europa League final amid all the challenges… That was truly rewarding. I brought together a divided club, rekindling fan passion that had faded. We cleared the streets of Rome for those finals. It was magical. Now with Fenerbahçe, the debut season felt like exploring uncharted territory. Even my cryptic social media hints didn’t fully convey it. Let’s see if my accumulated wisdom sets us up stronger for the coming campaign.”
Updating the Legacy with Modern Benchmarks
As of 2023, teams like Manchester City under Pep Guardiola have shattered points records, amassing 100 in a single season, far exceeding Chelsea’s 95 from 2004-05. Yet Mourinho’s era introduced a new level of tactical discipline and resilience, influencing today’s high-pressing styles seen in clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal.
Mourinho’s Enduring Impact as a Football Management Legend
Jose Mourinho is etched in history as one of the Premier League’s elite coaches and a global icon in the sport. Although his 2005 Chelsea champions dominated the league, they weren’t unbeaten in a single campaign, and recent powerhouses like Manchester City and Liverpool have surpassed their seasonal points hauls with updated strategies and squad depths.
Looking Ahead to Fresh Challenges
At 63, the former Real Madrid strategist keeps making waves with his outspoken views on various issues. Mourinho aims for his Fenerbahce squad to shine in an upcoming preseason clash against Al-Ittihad this Wednesday, hoping to build momentum for the new term.
