| Jose he's leaving Chelsea
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has rubbished claims that he is ready to quit Stamford Bridge in the summer to take over at Italian giants Internazionale.
The Portuguese tactician is all set to capture his second Premiership title in as many years but there has still been talk of a close-season exit from the West London outfit.
Internazionale are the club who have most fervently been linked with an approach for Mourinho but the cocksure coach has now moved to put any such suggestions to bed.
Mourinho has at times this season been critical of how he is perceived by the English press, who have on occasion portrayed him in a less than flattering light, and it is such ire that has prompted talk of move to Serie A.
However, Mourinho is seemingly still committed to Chelsea and has now pledged to remain at the club - certain that he will be in the hot seat next season.
"There's no way I am going to join Inter Milan in the summer, no way at all,'' Mourinho told the News of the World.
"I promise you I will be at Chelsea next season - I am absolutely certain of that."
Chelsea had earlier rejected claims that Mourinho is set to leave the club with chief executive Peter Kenyon entirely dismissing any such notion.
"Jose has a contract with Chelsea until 2010 and we as a club are totally committed to that timetable. Stories about him leaving and other managers coming are totally false," an adamant Kenyon told Chelsea's official website.
"Bringing Jose to Chelsea was all about achieving success and building long-term foundations for the future of Chelsea. That was our vision together, that has not changed and Jose has our 100 per cent support."
Lamps desperate for Jose stay
Chelsea star Frank Lampard has conceded that if Jose Mourinho left Stamford Bridge it 'could put the club back years', after reports linking the Portuguese tactician with Internazionale.
Whilst Mourinho has rubbished suggestions that he will move to Serie A in the summer, widespread reports claim that behind the scenes power struggles have led the outspoken boss to consider his future at The Blues.
After leaving an indelible mark both on the London side and The Premiership as a whole since his arrival in England in 2004, claiming both the Carling Cup and league title in his first season, Lampard fears that the loss of Mourinho could pre-empt a decline for Roman Abramovich's team.
Under the former Porto coach The Blues have become a ruthlessly efficient and feared side, and vice-captain Lampard believes that the key to their success is their manager - not the limitless funds placed at his disposal.
"Obviously the club has to be bigger than any one individual but it would be a massive disappointment if Mourinho was to go," Lampard told the News of the World.
"It could put the club back years. That's not being disrespectful to anyone else here - players or staff - it's just how important I think he is for us.
"I can't see him leaving and think the speculation is rubbish, it would be a huge blow if we were to lose Mourinho.
"To me all our success is due to him, I don't subscribe to the theory that it's down just to the money.
"Any idiot can go out and buy a team of top players but that doesn't mean you will be guaranteed success.
"We have seen clubs spending millions on players many times before and they've still not had any success despite their spending.
"So for me it is Mourinho who has made the difference to us here at Chelsea.
"He is the one who has led us to all the success we have had so far and hopefully the success we are about to celebrate this season." |