Carragher compares Mourinho’s Chelsea vs Ferguson’s Man Utd

Former Liverpool hero Jamie Carragher has hailed Jose Mourinho’s first Chelsea side and has compared it to Sir Alex Ferguson’s top teams at Manchester United.

Mourinho spent three years at the Blues in his first spell at Stamford Bridge, winning the Premier League in both of his first two seasons.

But after falling out with Blues owner Roman Abramovich, the Portuguese departed in September 2007, going on to have spells at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and United.

Most recently, Mourinho spent 18 months in charge of Tottenham, before getting sacked on Monday after an underwhelming campaign in the Premier League.

His sacking by Spurs appears to have spelt the end of Mourinho’s time as manager at the top level of the game.

But Carragher, who frequently came up against Mourinho when Liverpool and Chelsea shared a fierce rivalry, has moved to defend the 58-year-old’s legacy.

“Although it never seemed that way in the heat of battle, the mutual respect was massive,” Carragher wrote in a column for the Telegraph.

“Other than Sir Alex Ferguson’s best Manchester United teams, in my playing career I never faced a side that so epitomised the personality of their coach as Chelsea between 2004-07.

“I knew within a few weeks of Mourinho moving to Stamford Bridge that had he ever joined Liverpool I would have loved working for him as much as I did my favourite club managers.

“There was not a player in England who did not feel that way then, including those at United. The Chelsea players thought of him in the same way Liverpool’s do Jurgen Klopp today.”

Carragher also believes that Mourinho’s decision to carry on managing after reaching the top of his game has wrongly been counted against him.

“The events at Spurs will not tarnish his Premier League legacy,” the pundit wrote.

Top trending sport stories right now

  • Ebanie Bridges' gruesome eye injury
  • McGregor's net worth amid Man Utd offer
  • Ben Askren's spat before Jake Paul KO
  • Inside Lewis Hamilton's weight problems

    • “Only Ferguson has won more Premier League titles than Mourinho, who became the first to be a champion in England, Spain and Italy – as well as winning the Champions League with two different clubs.

    “Because Ferguson retired at the top after three decades of success at Aberdeen and United, we wrongly presume this is true of all the legends.

    “It is more usual to suffer a dip later in a career, as Mourinho has 18 years after his first Portuguese title.”

    READ MORE: Jose Mourinho's final day at Tottenham included four hours of honest talks with players

    READ MORE: Daniel Levy tipped to hire 'mini Mourinho' as Jose's replacement at Tottenham

    Source: Read Full Article