Mourinho's Epic Battle Against His Former Club: The Complete Chelsea Showdown Stats
"I hold the top position. When they find someone who delivers four Premier League championships for them, then I'll drop to second place. But until that happens, Judas remains at the summit."
These were the chants of "Judas" echoing from the Stamford Bridge supporters during an FA Cup quarterfinal clash between Chelsea and Manchester United, managed by José Mourinho, in 2017, which sparked the "special one" to respond defiantly in his post-game media briefing.
Mourinho stands as Chelsea's most accomplished manager in history, yet his bond with the club has grown increasingly strained following his third championship victory. A Blues fanbase that, by his own account, were "delighted to welcome him home" in 2010, have since turned against the Portuguese tactician due to his subsequent roles with Premier League competitors Man Utd and Tottenham Hotspur.
His final major achievements came at SW6, with Mourinho, throughout the last ten years, transforming into a resourceful cup specialist whose reputation has steadily declined. He ranks among football's legends, but the enchantment that radiated from the charismatic 41-year-old upon his initial arrival at Chelsea has slowly faded away.
And the Blues have secured considerable victories against what may be their most distinguished manager ever. Here's a breakdown of Mourinho's performance record versus Chelsea.
José Mourinho vs. Chelsea: Three Memorable Encounters
1. Chelsea 0–1 Inter (March 16, 2010)
"And they [the Chelsea supporters] understand that, typically, Mourinho finds fortune at Stamford Bridge."
The Portuguese relocated his expertise to Inter following his initial Chelsea dismissal, and was charged with becoming the first coach to lead the Nerazzurri to continental success since Helenio Herrera in the mid-60s.
Mourinho's Inter had barely advanced from the group phase as second-place finishers behind Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, while Chelsea, whom they met in the round of 16, were considered among the top contenders for overall victory in the tournament. Under Carlo Ancelotti's guidance, the Blues would secure their third Premier League crown in 2009–10, but they'd falter against Mourinho's Inter in European competition.
This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey, with Inter winning 2–1 in the opening leg and securing a second leg triumph at Stamford Bridge through a Samuel Eto'o close-range finish.
Their exceptional defensive performance would preview what would later emerge against a legendary Barça squad, with Mourinho ultimately guiding the Italian powerhouse to a historic treble before moving on to Real Madrid.
2. Chelsea 4–0 Manchester United (October 23, 2016)
Mourinho had made his Chelsea comeback and claimed his third Premier League championship with the Blues between Inter's 1–0 victory in 2010 and Manchester United's 4–0 thrashing in 2016.
The Portuguese's second stint with the Blues concluded in chaos, but Mourinho was still considered among the coaching elite when United pursued him less than twelve months after his Chelsea departure.
Many anticipated a championship bid from Mourinho's Red Devils during preseason, but it was Antonio Conte's team that would establish themselves as the Premier League's commanding presence that campaign. Chelsea's excellence hadn't yet been demonstrated when United visited the Bridge in October 2016 and suffered a crushing 4–0 loss, but that triumph was part of a 13-match winning streak in the league that drove their title conquest.
Conte's animated celebrations notably annoyed Mourinho, who exchanged words with the Italian at the final whistle. It's reasonable to conclude that the duo have found it difficult to maintain harmony since then.
3. Chelsea 2–2 Manchester United (October 20, 2018)
Another Italian occupied the home technical area at Stamford Bridge following Conte's departure, with Maurizio Sarri, who'd achieved remarkable results at Napoli, replacing his fellow countryman.
Their initial confrontation was an entertaining spectacle on the pitch, as Ross Barkley secured a draw for the home side in the dying moments after Anthony Martial's double had given United a 2–1 advantage.
This occasion, it wasn't the enthusiasm of his counterpart that frustrated Mourinho, but the excessive celebration of one of Sarri's coaching staff, who rejoiced in front of the United technical area. Mourinho's response triggered a brief altercation, and the United manager was once more eager to remind the Stamford Bridge crowd of how many trophies he'd brought to SW6 in his post-match comments.