Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho paid tribute to the support of those who had helped him reach the pinnacle of the game as he accepted the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award on Sunday night.
The Portuguese coach was the guest of honour at London's
Savoy Hotel just a few hours after guiding his side to a 3-1 win over
Manchester United.
Mourinho led Chelsea to successive Premier League titles
during his first spell at Stamford Bridge, repeating his success at Inter
Milan, where he won the Champions League for a second time, and Real Madrid
before returning for a second spell at Stamford Bridge this summer
"Without love and happiness, I could not do my
job," said the 50-year-old.
"My assistant (coaches) are like my brothers, Frank
(Lampard) represents my players, without whom I have no career, and Mr (Louis)
van Gaal, Mr (Bobby) Robson, my bosses."
Mourinho believes a settled family life in England has
helped him refocus for the challenges ahead.
He continued: "The best thing football gave me was to make
a decision about my future.
"Some managers go where they have to go, where the club
comes, and sometimes it is not the best move, not what they want to do, but
they go.
"I sat down with my wife and family, and said 'where is
the best place for us? Where can we be happier as a family? To be happy as a
manager and enjoy more the family and life socially?'
"We decided England, after that, for the situation to be
perfect it would be Chelsea and I was lucky because the door was open for me.
Mourinho would love to continue his career at Chelsea for
'many, many years' yet, and indicated he had no intentions of ever leaving the
Premier League.
He added: "The principles you have in relation to
football and life are absolutely amazing.
"I love this Chelsea Football Club, which has been the
only club to have ever sacked me, we as a family belong to you (in) England.
"I belong to Chelsea, Chelsea belongs to me, and
hopefully we will stay for many, many years."
Mourinho joked: "It is not a threat, but if you sack
me, I will stay in England and go to another club, a possible rival
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