7 Times Jose Mourinho Criticised Chelsea and What He Said

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said all the right things at his final press conference ahead of Tuesday’s return to Stamford Bridge as Benfica manager — talking up his love for the club and calling himself “always a Blue”.

But it hasn’t always been soft focus. There have been plenty of occasions when Mourinho has criticised Chelsea — their fans, their managers, or the club’s direction — after (and even during) his time at the Bridge.

Since leaving Chelsea for the second time in December 2015, Mourinho has managed at Manchester United, Tottenham, Roma, Fenerbahce and now Benfica.

His relationship with Chelsea has oscillated between affection and needle, which is why he is likely to receive a mixed reception this week. Some Chelsea fans may boo Mourinho but most will greet him warmly.

Below are some of Mourinho’s most memorable digs at Chelsea.

When Jose Mourinho criticised Chelsea

“Empty stadium” — a swipe at Chelsea’s home support (November 2014)

Still Chelsea manager in his second spell, Mourinho tore into the atmosphere after a 2-1 win over QPR.

“At this moment it’s difficult for us to play at home because playing here is like playing in an empty stadium,” he said, later adding he only realised “the stadium is full” when Chelsea scored. He even joked the person in charge of the lights “was in the same mood as the crowd, because everybody was sleeping.”

Accusing Antonio Conte of “humiliating” behaviour (October 2016)

Back at Stamford Bridge as Manchester United boss, Mourinho confronted Chelsea manager Antonio Conte on the touchline after the home side thrashed the visitors 4-0. He felt the Italian’s wild touchline celebrations were designed to embarrass him rather than lift his own team.

Italian TV microphones picked up Mourinho telling Conte: “You don’t celebrate like that at 4-0, you can do it at 1-0 — otherwise it’s humiliating for us.” The handshake at full-time was tense and brief, with Mourinho clearly angered by what he viewed as showboating against him in front of his old supporters.

Branding Chelsea “very defensive” (February 2017)

Midway through Chelsea’s 2016/17 title-winning campaign — which ended with Conte’s men finishing on 93 points, 24 clear of United in sixth — Mourinho hit his former club with a backhanded compliment.

Speaking about the title race, he said: “Chelsea are a very good defensive team. They defend very well and with lots of players. A very defensive team wins the title with counter-attack goals and set-piece goals.”

It read as a compliment on the surface, but the implication was clear: Chelsea were winning through pragmatism rather than flair — something Mourinho knew would sting, as it had often been said about him.

“Clown” on the touchline — swipe at Conte (January 2018)

By early 2018, the Mourinho-Conte feud had spiralled into one of the most heated managerial rivalries in the Premier League. When asked why he no longer behaved as theatrically on the touchline as he once had — a nod to Conte’s animated antics — Mourinho couldn’t resist another dig.

He remarked: “Because I don’t behave as a clown on the touchline, it means that I lost my passion? I prefer to behave the way I am doing it. I don’t think you have to behave like a crazy guy on the touchline to have that passion.”

Conte responded in kind days later, accusing Mourinho of having “amnesia” about his own past behaviour. The exchange dominated the headlines for weeks.

The Marco Ianni bust-up at the Bridge (October 2018)

One of the most explosive flashpoints came in October 2018 during a Premier League game at Stamford Bridge. United had come from behind to lead 2-1, only for Ross Barkley to score a stoppage-time equaliser. As the Chelsea bench celebrated wildly, assistant coach Marco Ianni sprinted past Mourinho and appeared to shout in his direction.

Mourinho flew off the bench and had to be restrained by stewards and staff as tempers flared on the touchline. The incident triggered a brief melee near the dugouts. After the match, Mourinho said: “I don’t know his name. I don’t need to know. He came and apologised. Maurizio [Sarri] came and apologised. For me, the story is over.”

Still, the moment highlighted how volatile Mourinho’s visits to Stamford Bridge had become and how thin the line was between respect and resentment.

“Crazy investment” — swiping at the new era (September 2025)

Ahead of his long-awaited managerial return to Stamford Bridge with Benfica, Mourinho was in a reflective mood — but still couldn’t resist a dig at the club’s recent direction under their new ownership.

He contrasted the Chelsea he helped shape with the one that has lurched through multiple managers and transfer splurges. Mourinho said: “Abramovich’s Chelsea, my Chelsea, the Chelsea we built and lasted for many years was a winning club.

“Then there was a big change with crazy investment and a period of a few years where it looked like they lost direction — too many players, too many millions, a team without a clear philosophy.”

While he did go on to praise Enzo Maresca for restoring structure and winning the Conference League and Club World Cup, the message was unmistakable — modern Chelsea had lost their way for a while.

Mourinho’s softer side

To complicate the picture, Mourinho’s latest presser at Stamford Bridge was affectionate. He declared: “I will always be a Blue. I am part of their history. They are part of my history.”

Even while plotting Benfica’s route through London, he leaned into his legend status. That push-and-pull — warmth one day, a jab the next — is classic Mourinho theatre.