Seventeen years ago, Chelsea signed and outdoored Jose Mourinho to the world as their new head coach who was to take over from Italian gaffer Claudio Ranieri.
The Portuguese who was coming in with a very rich CV after conquering Europe with his Porto side was relatively an unknown commodity in football with the exception of football enthusiast who had followed the previous Champions League season.
Affectionately known as the special one, the new gaffer introduced himself to the sporting world when he showed exploits of his usual high self-esteem at his press introduction.
When quizzed about his arrival to London and why he thinks he was recruited for the job, the Portuguese in usual fashion named himself without knowing it “Please don’t call me arrogant I think I am a SPECIAL ONE”.
Jose Mourinho would change the fortunes of Chelsea as he won the Premier League in his first season and the subsequent one in grand style. The strong Connection between the London based club and Ghanaians also started under Jose Mourinho when he signed Micheal Essien from Olympic Lyon.
Chelsea became a household name in Ghana with every neutral football fan gravitating towards the club due to the presence of the ex-liberty player who was at the very top of his carrier.
The love affair between the club, Essien and Mourinho became even more evident when the controversial coach paid a visit to Ghana for a charity event in 2008 which he recently described as “I will always remember it. Amazing week and a incredible experience Ghana”
Micheal Essien and Jose Mourinho’s relationship took a hit in 2007 when the Portuguese was sacked from the club.
Destined to be re-united, the pair worked again at Real Madrid when Jose Mourinho signed the strong midfielder on loan from Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho was re-engaged by the Chelsea in what will be his second coming in charge of the blues. The special one will win another league tittle and a League Cup before his dismissal in 2015.
There is no denying the fact that the appointment of the “special one” promoted the love of Chelsea and European club football in Ghana which has grown till date.
