Jose Mourinho Unleashes Scathing Attack on Chelsea Owners Before Explosive Stamford Bridge Homecoming

Ex-Chelsea boss José Mourinho criticized the "excessive spending" by the club's BlueCo ownership while acknowledging head coach Enzo Maresca's role in the recent revival, though his compliments came with subtle digs.

The celebrated Portuguese tactician secured three Premier League championships during two separate stints at Stamford Bridge and will return to west London with Benfica for a Champions League first-round match on Tuesday night.

The polarizing Russian tycoon Roman Abramovich owned the club during both of Mourinho's periods in charge. The prominent oligarch, who purportedly has connections to Russian leader Vladimir Putin—claims he vehemently rejects—was compelled to sell Chelsea in 2022 due to U.K. government sanctions following Ukraine's invasion.

BlueCo, the investment group led by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, acquired Chelsea for £4.25 billion ($5.7 billion). In the following three years, these major disruptors have invested an additional £1.5 billion on transfers—nearly double the amount spent by the world's second-biggest spenders Manchester United—yet haven't achieved better than fourth place in the Premier League.

José Mourinho's Record Against Chelsea

"Chelsea. Abramovich's Chelsea, my Chelsea, the Chelsea we constructed and endured for numerous years was a victorious organization," Mourinho reflected during media discussions this weekend. "It was claiming everything with me and subsequently with [Carlo] Ancelotti, with [Antonio] Conte and with [Thomas] Tuchel. Chelsea was a triumph factory. Each season, Chelsea was conquering.

"Then came a major transformation with reckless spending and a stretch of several years where they appeared to lose focus—with excessive players, excessive millions, player accumulation and a squad lacking clear direction. For a couple of years, it was difficult. For someone who cherishes the club, it was painful."

Following a drop to 12th in BlueCo's inaugural season and then sixth under Mauricio Pochettino, Maresca guided Chelsea back to Champions League qualification last campaign. The Italian manager also captured the Conference League and Club World Cup, trophies some dismiss but not Mourinho.

"Maresca came and gradually, the pieces fell into place," the self-proclaimed Special One observed.

"Even the Conference League represents an excellent tournament for a club like that to claim. It provides you with that initial trophy and the mindset and tradition of the organization for success. If you cannot capture the Premier League you win something else, so they claimed the Conference League. Then they travel to the States and return with the prestigious badge on their shirt so now they possess a strong, strong squad."