Jose Mourihno did not hesitate to hit back at a section of Chelsea Fans and the their boss, Antonio Conte, with his declaration that ‘Judas is still number one’, even after losing 1 – 0 at Stamford Bridge.
A section of home fans barracked the Portuguese in the east stand as they chanted “Judas” while others shouted that he is no longer “the special one” and that is his fault. In response, Mourihno raised his hand up, pointing three fingers – indicating the trio of Premier League titles he claimed in two spells in south-west London, reports The Guardian.
Mourihno also got entangled in a war of words with Conte on the touchline as the two disagreed over the red card Ander Herrera was awarded and the treatment of Eden Hazard.
Jose Mourihno was visibly displeased by how referee Michael Oliver performed although the official did not spot a second-half stamp on Hazard by Marcos Rojo that would have seen the latter banned by the Football Association.
The former Chelsea boss, who was sacked in December 2015 even as Chelsea were the title holders at that time and having left the Champions League at the 16th stage, said that he doesn’t care what the fans say. He maintained that he is still Chelsea’s number one until a new manager brings to Stamford Bridge four Premier Leagues. “I’ll be No2. For this moment, ‘Judas’ is No1,” he said.
Herrera has been suspended for two games after having been sent off the pitch in a past match this season. The Football Association may also scrutinize Marcos Rojo stamp that went unpunished.
‘We are not cry-babies’
“Nobody saw us crying because we don’t have Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], this or that,” said Mourinho.
He went on to defend his run at Chelsea before his ungracious dismissal. He said that before leaving the club, he had taken them to the Champions League and even left as they got ready to play the second leg of the knockout phase at home.
Chelsea are not playing in Europa this season after having failed to win the Champions last year. “It’s not my fault. It’s the [fault of the] ones who stayed here and didn’t win the Champions League. What I share with them is that we didn’t have a good Premier League, and I share responsibility with that,” said Mourihno.
Before the onset of the match, Conte had shook hands with Jose in the tunnel. The Italian was however critical of his opponents saying that all they did was kick Hazard at the beginning and end of the game.
“I am really proud of my players,” Mourihno told media personal after the game. “I’m really proud of the guys. Mr Oliver… goes home and can do his own analysis because I don’t want to analyse his work.”
