Darren Bent says he would be ‘stunned’ if Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea, but he could see the AS Roma boss replacing David Moyes at West Ham United one day.
The former Premier League striker, who is a boyhood Arsenal fan, added that he wouldn’t want the two-time Chelsea boss at the Emirates instead of Mikel Arteta.
Mourinho is currently the manager of AS Roma, who are sitting three points behind second-placed Inter after winning the Europa Conference League last season.
The 60-year-old has hinted at wanting to return to the Premier League one day, where he has managed Chelsea twice and also his trophy-less stint at Tottenham.
Would Chelsea fans take him back with Todd Boehly now in charge? Would West Ham fans swap ‘one of the best’ for David Moyes? Could there be a triple London swoop of Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal?
Bent shared his thoughts and thinks, whilst Mourinho will go down as one of the greats, his time at the top might just be up, as he told talkSPORT (02/03/23).
“I would (be stunned if Mourinho returned to Chelsea for a third time),” said Bent. “He was magnificent the first time, brilliant the second time and won the league again, then the wheels fell off and it didn’t work.
“You can’t mock what he’s done, in terms of being a football manager. He is outstanding. One of the very best. His Premier League record is incredible, at all clubs. He’s had 362 games as a manager, he’s won 217, drew 84 and he’s only lost 61. That’s frightening.
“At the top end of the Premier League table, it’s not just about winning trophies now. I think fans want to see a certain style.
“Would they (Palace) swap Vieira for him? I don’t know. Palace fans probably would. You look at teams like Brentford, they’re not swapping Thomas Frank for him. De Zerbi at Brighton, now swapping him.
“I think so (to West Ham), but then would Mourinho go to West Ham?! Could he go in there, get results and not spend? Chelsea would rather replace Potter with a Tuchel rather than a Jose. No, I wouldn’t swap Arteta (for Jose).”
MOURINHO – ONE OF THE GREATEST
When the dust is settled, Mourinho will go down as one of the greatest coaches of his generation and of all time.
Not only that, one of the best to step foot in the Premier League and it has had some serious, serious coaches in the dugout.
But what perhaps makes Mourinho unique amongst others is his character and no-nonsense ways.
Whether you love it or loathe it, it’s entertaining and Premier League fans wouldn’t mind seeing him return just for that factor alone.
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