7: The Special Ones

Following Roman Abramovich's Chelsea takeover in July 2003, Claudio Ranieri became a "dead man walking", with constant speculation surrounding his job at Stamford Bridge. And after a spectacular collapse against 10-man Monaco in the Champions League semi-final later that season, the Italian's fate was all but sealed. Step forward Jose Mourinho, a recently crowned Champions League winner who, after one incredible press conference, became English football's zeitgeist. The world would evolve around Mourinho in the Premier League and at Chelsea, with the media, fans and his players in awe of him. Just as Abramovich ushered in change in the boardroom, Mourinho would do the same from the dugout. And he was all Chelsea's, ready to sculpt the club's finest generation. This is the inside story of how Jose Mourinho inspired his Chelsea players to greatness. In this episode you will hear from: John Terry, Steve Clarke, Claudio Ranieri, Martin Tyler (Commentator), Gerry Cox (Journalist), Mike Ingham (Commentator), Simon Johnson (Journalist), Jason Cundy (Broadcaster), Neil Barnett (Journalist), Rick Glanvill (Chelsea FC's official historian) The Blueprint is written by Garry Hayes and narrated by Ceri Levy. *** You can support this podcast on Apple Podcasts by subscribing to Blueprint+ for ad-free streaming and bonus episodes. If you listen elsewhere, we have a Patreon that gives access to bonus episodes and other content. Our Patreon: https://patreon.com/ChelseaBlueprint *** This is another HWY61 production. For more podcasts like this, visit www.HWY61.media Our theme music "Blue Day '23" is composed by Mike Connaris with bed arrangements by Jake Bradford-Sharp. It's used under license from Mcasso Music. Archive used in this episode is courtesy of Chelsea TV.