Jose Mourinho: Chelsea Confirm New Manager

Jose Mourinho has been appointed as manager of Chelsea for the second time, the club have confirmed.

He has signed a four-year contract, marking his return to the side he left in 2007.

Ron Gourlay, Chelsea FC Chief Executive, said: "I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

"It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our number one choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that.

"He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again."

He will be officially presented as the new Chelsea boss in a press conference at Stamford Bridge next Monday, almost a decade since he was first unveiled at the club.

The Portuguese manager parted ways with Spanish giants Real Madrid yesterday, after three years in which he won La Liga and the Copa Del Rey.

Before that, he took Inter Milan to Champions League glory and two Serie A titles.

The appointment comes after Jose Mourinho told Spanish television over the weekend that he expects to be appointed Chelsea manager by the end of this week.

In an interview with TV football show Punto Pelota, he insisted his return to Stamford Bridge will be made official within days.

He said: "I'm going to London on Monday and at the end of the week I will be the manager of Chelsea.

"I feel the people there love me and in life you have to look for that.

"Life is beautiful and short and you must look for what you think is best for you."

Mourinho led Chelsea to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 before departing in 2007 after falling out with owner Roman Abramovich over transfer budgets.