Yet more evidence that this will be Jose Mourinho’s last season in charge of Chelsea: Marcelo Lippi, the man who last summer led Italy to its first World Cup title in 24 years, says the Sky Blues are hounding him to take over the job once Mourinho leaves at the end of the season. “I’m aware that I’m on the wanted list at a number of big clubs, but specifically Chelsea and I regard that as only natural,” Lippi told reporters.
The wily tactician certainly isn’t lacking confidence, but his record speaks for itself: four Champions League finals, five Serie A titles, and the World Cup. “It feels wholly understandable…given my resume that a big club wants to sign me and I will make my final decision in May,” he said, hinting later that England is his preferred destination: “I’m ready, willing and enthusiastic to coach in England even though I know that people mistakenly say I can’t speak English.”
Publicly, Mourinho insists that he’s keen on staying at Chelsea, although earlier in January, when the manager seemed to be at the height of his dissatisfaction with the Chelsea board, a “friend” told the British press that the Portuguese manager had had enough and wanted out at the end of the season.