I Think I'm Still Special, Insists Mourinho

Chelsea and Jose Mourinho may have been at pains to insist that their relationship came to a premature end "by mutual consent", but claims to the contrary continue to emerge. France Football today purported to reveal that Roman Abramovich reacted to last week's Champions League draw with Rosenborg by entering the dressing room, shaking Mourinho's hand and gushing a deeply sarcastic "fantastic football!" before later sacking the Portuguese via text message.

Regardless of the veracity or otherwise of that account, Mourinho today maintained that he is still the 'Special One'. Speaking to the Portuguese newspaper Maisfutebol, the man who ended Chelsea's 50-year wait for the league title said: "I took a chance in saying that I was special, but I think there are now a lot of people who would sign up to that - and I think I'm still special. I achieved good things and it was a fantastic period in my career. I'll try to forget the bad things and remember the good ones, which are endless."

Mourinho, who has been replaced by Avram Grant, admits the past week has been an emotional experience but insists he will always remember his relationship with the club's players and supporters. "Yes, I cried," he said. "I tend to say that I have a family at home and another at work. I've always had a relationship of love with the players and fans. I won't forget them and they won't forget me."

During Mourinho's reign Chelsea never lost a home league game and Chelsea fans chanted his name during their defeat to Manchester United on Sunday. "The fans never left Stamford Bridge crying, because we never lost," said Mourinho. "We beat the record and the day they lose a match at home they will remember they were three years without losing a single league game there. In England, the culture is not one of change. Sir Alex Ferguson was at Manchester United a lot of years without winning titles, I think it was three years in a row, and he continues in his job. [Arsène] Wenger's already in his third year without winning titles and continues in his work.

"If it were for the fans I'd have a contract for 20 years. Here the culture is different. People like me and there is an excellent relationship."