The Pride of London
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Ranking every Chelsea manager under Roman Abramovich

By ROSHAAN KAPOOR

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 12: Thomas Tuchel the manager / head coach of Chelsea and Roman Abrahimovic owner of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea v Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - FEBRUARY 12: Thomas Tuchel the manager / head coach of Chelsea and Roman Abrahimovic owner of Chelsea during the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021 Final match between Chelsea v Palmeiras at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium on February 12, 2022 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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LONDON – AUGUST 24: Manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, (L) with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (C) before the Barclays Premiership match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on August 24, 2004 in London. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images)
LONDON – AUGUST 24: Manager of Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, (L) with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (C) before the Barclays Premiership match between Crystal Palace and Chelsea at Selhurst Park on August 24, 2004 in London. (Photo by Phil Cole/Getty Images) /

1. Jose Mourinho (I)

Tenure: 2004 to 2007
Trophies: Premier League (x2), League Cup (x2), FA Cup
Record: 124-40-21

In his first press conference after being introduced as Chelsea manager for the first time, Mourinho dubbed himself “The Special One.” While some perceived this as arrogance, little did they know how special his first tenure would truly be at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho came over from Porto fresh off an unexpected Champions League-winning run with the Portuguese giants, so it’s safe to say the expectations were quite high.

Mourinho built a formidable (to say the least) Chelsea side that featured one of the best—if not the best—defenses the Premier League has ever seen. Going up against Arsenal’s Invincibles of the previous season, the Blues lost just one game against Manchester City and conceded only 15 goals in the 38-game Premier League campaign. Even today, when most of the records of old have fallen, the Mourinho-led side still holds the record for best defense in English top flight history. The Blues would also go on to break the Premier League record for the most points (95), which lasted till the 2017/18 Premier League season.

In his second season, Mourinho’s Chelsea successfully defended its Premier League title, earning the only back-to-back league triumphs in the club’s history. That same season, just like the last, Chelsea went on to win the League Cup too. By the time the third season started for the Portuguese manager, there were reports of some unrest between Abramovich, Mourinho and the Blues’ hierarchy. These allegations were addressed by Mourinho and said to be not true, but the cracks did start to appear. Mourinho completed his set of trophies after he won the FA Cup by beating Man United in 2007.

Mourinho left the club by mutual consent in December of that same year, much to the surprise of the fans. However, he had already cemented his place in the history books and those magical achievements land him the top spot on this list.

Next. Most impactful Chelsea players of the Roman Abramovich era. dark

Where would you rank each manager of the Abramovich era? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!

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