Chelsea FC mercurial midfielder, Mikel Obi has stated that he would be glad to welcome back Jose Mourinho as Chelsea coach by the end of the season.
The Super Eagles midfielder was one of the players during the Golden Era of ‘The Special One’ at Chelsea and he said he would gladly embrace Mourinho’s return to the Stamford Bridge even though such a decision is the responsibility of the club’s board.
“Mourinho is a great man, a great coach on and off the pitch. I will welcome him back if he is employed. He brought me here, the bond is there,” Mikel said.
“I have worked with different managers here and all are good. It will be nice to have him back, but the board and the owner will decide that.
“We are just concentrating on a top-four finish as well as to win the Europa League and will leave the appointment of a coach to the board.”
Mikel said Mourinho will lift The Blues’ again.
“If he is employed, it will be a massive boost for us. Mine is to put in my best as a player when on the pitch,” said Mikel, who reportedly cried when the Portuguese coach was sacked by Roman Abramovich.
“He knows what to do to bring out the best in his player even when one’s morale is at its lowest point. He is a good listener.
“Mourinho is a no-nonsense man. He is tough when it comes to work. He pushes you very hard to get your best at all times. There can never be a dull moment with him on and off the pitch.”
He also stated that he is out of today’s English Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
“I am not back yet. I will miss the Villa game. It is a very important game for us. I am wishing the lads a victory,” Mikel said.
Mikel has been sidelined by a hip injury he suffered at training ahead of a Europa League semi-final clash against Swiss side FC Basel.