Jose Mourinho is a polarizing figure, but he quickly won the hearts of Chelsea fans when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge in July 2004. He dubbed himself 'the Special One' and lived up to that moniker as he took to easing Sir Alex Ferguson 's stranglehold off the Premier League . The Portuguese tactician masterminded the Blues' first Premier League title triumph, in stunning fashion , a year after making clear he wanted to write his name in the history books of English football.
His confidence meshed perfectly with the team he assembled in West London, a group of warriors who were ready to fight for the badge at all costs. Mourinho built a bond with his players through his passionate character, but he also had a mean side that ensured his squad stayed focused on the goal at hand. He instilled in his players, such as Frank Lampard and John Terry , a winning mentality, and his dedication to transforming Chelsea into one of Europe's elite even included having a say over their private lives.
Ever the strict disciplinarian, the 61-year-old remains one of the most respected and highly regarded coaches in the game. The Blues' current boss, Enzo Maresca , has put his stamp on the club with bold calls to exile experienced duo Raheem Sterling and Ben Chilwell . Yet, the youthful Blues squad currently under Maresca's disposal can perhaps count themselves lucky they weren't around during Mourinho's days.
The club's former defender Robert Huth recalled just how controlling the three-ti.
