Kenyon: Jose is history maker

Peter Kenyon today predicted that Jose Mourinho will go down in history as one of the best football managers of all time.

Despite Chelsea's Premiership ambitions being held up by Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Tottenham last night, Kenyon believes many more honours lie in store under Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach has already brought the Carling Cup to Stamford Bridge in his first season at the club and his side face Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals tomorrow. And he has won two Portuguese titles, UEFA Cup and the European Cup with FC Porto.

Chelsea chief executive Kenyon said: "Getting Jose to Chelsea ranks up there as among the best pieces of business I've ever done and importantly he's here for the long-term. This isn't the end of the story - it's the start of it - and that's really exciting.

"If you look at what Jose's won in his short career he could be remembered as one of the best managers ever and we're fully expecting that to happen.

"What's happened this year is a remarkable achievement. It comes off the fact that last year we were Premiership runners-up and Champions League semi-finalists but this year we're going one step further. There's nothing about the squad that suggests it's a oneoff event and the key to us is that it's sustainable."

Chelsea will be crowned champions if they win at the Reebok Stadium this weekend and Kenyon admitted that winning the title in his first full season at the club would mean more than his various successes at Manchester United.

He said: "Every Premiership title is special, but to be involved in a club that hasn't had that success for 50 years brings something extra."