The self-proclaimed ‘Special One’ has reminded critics that he enjoyed historic campaigns at Porto and Inter despite making disappointing starts as the Blues look for their firs…
Jose Mourinho has jokingly predicted that Chelsea will win the treble this year, despite their disappointing start to the new campaign.
The Portuguese coach claims his side’s 2-2 draw with Swansea City in their first game of the season has mirrored similarly disappointing results in the opening game of treble-winning seasons at Porto and Inter.
But Mourinho has another, less encouraging superstition he has to deal with too: losing to managers with surnames beginning with ‘P’.
His last six Premier League defeats have come against sides managed by Tony Pulis, Gus Poyet, Alan Pardew, Mauricio Pochettino and Manuel Pellegrini – and next up is a trip to take on Pulis’ West Brom at the Hawthorns.
“I wouldn’t mind to go to the superstitious side of the game: I never win against a P,” he told reporters.
“And seasons where I start with a 2-2 at home, I win the treble. Porto, Inter v Bari, 2-2 against Swansea. So maybe this season… the treble?”
Contrary to Mourinho’s claim, Inter in fact drew 1-1 with Bari the year they won the treble, but Porto began their trophy-filled 2002-03 campaign with a 2-2 draw at home to Belenenses.