Ex-Chelsea boss keen on third stint at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea don’t feature in this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round programme having been knocked out by Manchester City. 

The Blues were humiliated at The Etihad in the last round, losing 4-0 in a game that piled even more pressure on manager Graham Potter.

The ex-Brighton and Hove Albion boss has struggled during his brief spell in charge so far, with The Blues having won just one of their 11 games before a narrow 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace two weeks ago.

An impressive goalless draw against Liverpool at Anfield will also have helped Potter’s cause, but despite his side having picked up four points from their last two games, rumours of a former Blues boss returning to Stamford Bridge are rife.

As reported by The Mail, Jose Mourinho would be interested in returning to Chelsea for a shock third spell in charge of the club.

It is claimed that the former Real Madrid manager is keen on a return to the Premier League, with Chelsea his priority.

The Portuguese, who is currently in charge of Italian Serie A side Roma, enjoyed two hugely successful spells in charge of The Blues.

He first took charge at Stamford Bridge back in 2004 having overseen a shock Champions League triumph with Porto, and he guided The Blues to the Premier League title in his first season in England.

They defended their title the following year, before things soured during the 2006/07 campaign, with Mourinho departing at the start of the 2007/08 season.

Mourinho is interested in taking charge of Chelsea for a third time

He returned to west London in 2013 and duly guided the club to another Premier League triumph in 2015, before once again leaving the club in December of the same year.

Mourinho has since taken charge of rivals Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, before moving to the Italian capital two years ago.

Last season, he guided the Italian side to the inaugural Europa Conference League trophy.

He has reportedly grown frustrated at a lack of financial support at Roma, though, and is therefore intent on returning to England next season.

Despite his interest, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is believed to be intent on keeping current boss Potter in charge of the club.

Mourinho’s representatives are said to have made it clear to those in charge of Chelsea that he would be interested in taking charge if a vacancy appeared, although they were told of the plans to stick with Potter.