Cole advocates for Mourinho as Chelsea manager

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole is backing Jose Mourinho to return to Chelsea yet again for a third stint in charge.

The Blues are on the hunt for another new boss after sacking Liam Rosenior, with a new permanent manager to be appointed at the end of the season – Calum McFarlane is taking temporary charge until then.

Andoni Iraola, Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva have all been touted as potential options, but Cole is convinced his former boss is the right person for the job.

Cole told The Sun: ‘The best move the club could make now, a realistic move as well, is to go to Jose Mourinho. 

Say that this is what we can do, and just let the man take charge of the club. Just say, rebuild my club for me, we’re going to step back, you get us back on track.

‘Give him a long contract, and tell the players and the fans just to take the transition. Tell the fans, we’ve given you what you want. Jose is in charge of bringing the players in. Jose is in charge of everything.

‘So, the fans know where they stand, and the players know where they stand as a group. And then leave it.