Jose Mourinho reveals he could have left Roma in December as he eyes up Chelsea return

José Mourinho has revealed that he had the opportunity to leave Roma in December, amid links to work at Chelsea.

The Portuguese manager is frustrated by the lack of funds available to him on the transfer market and has let it be known that he would be interested in a return to his former club.

And Mourinho told DAZN that he could have left the Italian team in 2022 amid a lack of resources to fight for the title, but decided against it.

He said: ‘I could have left in December and I didn’t, this is my life, every day there is a game.

“Sometimes it may seem like we are struggling, but we are up there with everyone else who is very strong.”

José Mourinho revealed he could have left Roma in December, amid links to Chelsea job

The Portuguese manager, frustrated by the lack of financial backing, has let it be known that he would be interested in a third spell at the Blues if they decide to sack Graham Potter (pictured)

However, Chelsea have made it clear that they will stay with their struggling manager.

Mourinho’s side spent less than £7m in the summer transfer window to sign right-back Zeki Celik from Lille, bringing in five players on free transfers, including Paulo Dybala, Nemanja Matic and Andrea Belotti.

And amid a slump for striker Tammy Abraham and the club in general, Mourinho was considering a return to London, where he has lived for most of the time since his first spell at Stamford Bridge in 2024.

His wife and children still live in the English capital and Mourinho, who won the first Europa Conference League title last season, would rather work in the Premier League than anywhere else in the world.

The 60-year-old added: “There was a brief period this season where I had some doubts about Abraham. Not about his qualities as a player, but about him, he had a difficult period.

Now, however, if he doesn’t score a goal, then he still makes an important contribution. He did everything perfectly in the second half, holding the ball, helping in defense, interacting very well with Paulo. It is a positive moment for him.

Despite Mourinho reaching out to Chelsea, the club have made it clear that they will support Graham Potter despite his current struggles.

The West Ham job could also be available soon given David Moyes’ struggles, although Mourinho would not leave Roma for half the season.

His team beat Empoli 2-0 on Saturday, with former Blues star Abraham on the scoreboard, a result that leaves them third in Serie A, level on points with second-placed Inter, albeit with one game more than those of Simone Inzaghi.

Mourinho’s Roma beat Empoli 2-0 this Saturday and leaves it third in the Serie A table