Jose Mourinho returns as Chelsea manager on four-year deal

Jose Mourinho has returned to Chelsea for a second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho, 50, replaces Rafael Benitez after leaving Real Madrid, and has signed a four-year contract.

The Portuguese won two consecutive Premier League titles during his first spell, which ended in September 2007.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay said: "He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again."

Mourinho first arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2004, weeks after guiding Porto the Champions League trophy.

He won the FA Cup and two League Cups as well as two Premier League titles but couldn't win the Champions League with the Blues.

Mourinho will return to a squad which contains some familiar faces, with Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, John Mikel Obi and John Terry still regulars, while Michael Essien also remain on the books.

Gourlay added: 'I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

'It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our number one choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that."

Mourinho won his second Champions League trophy with Inter Milan in 2010, but left to join Real Madrid later that summer - replacing Manuel Pellegrini, who is favourite to take over at Manchester City.

He finished second in La Liga in his first season - four points behind Barcelona - but won the title a year later, racking up 100 points in the process.

However this season Mourinho has cast a sulky figure, rowing with established players such as Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Pepe, while seeing Barca romp to the title.

"I know in England I am loved," he said after Real's Champions League exit to Borussia Dortmund in April. "I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one."

He replaces Benitez, who was brought in to replace Roberto Di Matteo in November and left to join Napoli after securing third place in the Premier League and winning the Europa League.

-BBC