Mourinho to see out Chelsea contract

SOCCER: Jose Mourinho has re-emphasised that he will see out his contract at Stamford Bridge until 2010, despite reports in …

SOCCER:Jose Mourinho has re-emphasised that he will see out his contract at Stamford Bridge until 2010, despite reports in recent months suggesting that he will make a move to Real Madrid in the summer.

Chelsea have been weakened by injuries this season and their manager was unhappy that the board failed to provide him with sufficient funds to strengthen the squad during the January transfer window.

They have fallen six points behind Manchester United at the top of the Premiership but he has steered them to the League Cup final against Arsenal tomorrow and into the last 16 of the Champions League.

"Normally there are three ways for a manager to leave a club," Mourinho said. "They can either walk away, get sacked or finish their contract. There is zero chance of me walking away and I will not be going to another club. I would never do this to Chelsea, my players or the supporters.

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"That means there are only two other possibilities, that I finish my contract until 2010 or the board are not happy with my work and decide to sack me. The power is always in the club's hands.

"I have had one of the most difficult periods where we drew a lot of games and people were asking for me to leave. But I got so much support from my players, the fans and everyone around me. They all wanted me to stay and I have never felt anything like that. I owe them and my decision is completely made.

"It has been proved this is the best football country with the stadiums, attendances and lovely media. My future is with Chelsea and I am already preparing for next season.

"The pre-season is almost arranged and we have got only one empty space for a game. I know when we will start and where we will go. We will be playing in the States and across Europe, and hopefully in the Charity Shield.

"I am also thinking about new players but we don't need much. I think one or two will be enough."

Mourinho had more good news for Chelsea supporters when he said that John Terry might be fit for the Premiership game against Portsmouth next Saturday.

The captain injured an ankle during the Champions League draw against Porto and there were fears he might be out for six weeks. Although he will miss tomorrow's cup final, the injury is not as bad as first feared.

Michael Essien will be asked to play out of position at the Millennium Stadium and the manager said Didier Drogba might have to be used as an emergency central defender.

"When John Terry is not there we don't have anyone else. Michael Essien is one of the best midfielders in the world and he will not be playing there. The next player I will have to put there if we get another injury is Didier Drogba and then we will miss his presence in the attack."

Guardian Service