Branislav Ivanovic can’t wait for a special delivery of Jose Mourinho

 
Simon Johnson26 March 2013

Branislav Ivanovic says it would be a “pleasure” to work under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea as the Special One closes in on a return to Stamford Bridge.

Standard Sport revealed at the start of last month that Chelsea were more confident than ever of luring Mourinho, who they sacked in September 2007, back to the club and it is understood he has now agreed a three-year deal in principal to take charge next term.

Mourinho is also believed to have accepted similar terms with Paris Saint-Germain, where Carlo Ancelotti is under pressure, but at present he favours a switch to west London and the club where he won five major honours between 2004 an 2007.

Ivanovic said: “For a top club like Chelsea, we need the best from the players and from the manager and maybe one day it will be a pleasure to work with him.

“He was a success and has said that Chelsea is his home and that he loved the club. This is something positive and with that atmosphere you can have good, positive things for the club.”

Chelsea’s current interim first-team manager Rafael Benitez has already confirmed he will not be getting the job on a permanent basis.

The club stepped up their pursuit of Mourinho, who will leave Real Madrid in May, after the Standard exclusively revealed their other main target, Jurgen Klopp, is staying at Borussia Dortmund.

Significantly, Mourinho has been in London over the past few days and Rui Sa Lemos, the youth team coach he worked with when in charge of Porto, has claimed on Twitter that the 50-year-old will be Chelsea manager again next season.

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