With the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson and the likely installing of old adversary David Moyes as his new Manchestter rival, Roberto Mancini has hailed one potential managerial switch for this summer – the return of Jose Mourinho.
The former Chelsea manager has been heavily linked with a return to the London club, after hinting at a move following his Real Madrid side’s Champions League exit.
And Mancini believes the charismatic Portuguese boss will breathe life into the division and make it more competitive.
“It will increase the charm of the Premier League and Chelsea will fight for the title,” he told Gazetta Extra Time.
Speculation of Mourinho’s return increased this week, when Chelsea’s interim manager Rafa Benitez fuelled rumours of a comeback.
Benitez is set to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, despite guiding the Blues to the Europa League final and putting them in pole position for a top-four finish.
“The next year there will be another manager,” he said. “I think everybody knows who will be here.”
However, Mancini offered his support to the Spaniard, who has struggled to win over the Chelsea supporters since joining the club in November.
He applauded the 53-year-old’s brief tenure at the West London club in the face of widespread unrest at his appointment.
“Maybe he was weighed down by his past in Liverpool, but from the professional point of view, he has got the most out of the club,” added Mancini.
“He’s led Chelsea to the final of the Europa League and is third in the league.”
City got the better of Benitez’s side in the league in February and in their FA Cup semi-final last month, setting up a Wembley date with Wigan on Saturday.
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