Independent archiveChelsea History

Permanent manager

José Mourinho

A profile of José Mourinho’s 2 recorded Chelsea spells. Match figures use all senior first-team competitions in the source table.

Chelsea tenure2 June 2004 – 20 September 2007; 3 June 2013 – 17 December 2015
Matches321
Win rate63.55%

Route into the role

Mourinho arrived in 2004 after winning the Champions League with Porto. He organised an outstanding squad around defensive control, competitive intensity and clearly defined roles.

Achievements and record

Chelsea won back-to-back league titles in 2004/05 and 2005/06; the first came with 95 points and only 15 goals conceded. His second spell produced another league title in 2014/15.

Context and pressure points

Across two spells he won three leagues, three League Cups and an FA Cup. His standards and rivalries shaped Chelsea’s identity throughout the Premier League era.

Conclusion and departure

Across two spells he won three leagues, three League Cups and an FA Cup. His standards and rivalries shaped Chelsea’s identity throughout the Premier League era. The recorded Chelsea tenure ended on 17 December 2015.

Related seasons

For the full campaign sequence, use the season archive. For statistical limitations, see manager comparison.

Chelsea legacy

The first spell delivered consecutive league titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup. The 2004-05 team paired ninety-five points with only fifteen league goals conceded, while the following season confirmed that the first championship was repeatable.

European elimination and internal pressure also formed part of the first spell, which ended in September 2007. His return in 2013 produced another League Cup and the 2014-15 Premier League title before a difficult defence ended the second tenure.

Combining the two spells clarifies Mourinho's place: he was central to three of Chelsea's six league championships, but the periods belonged to different squads and circumstances. The profile preserves those boundaries rather than presenting one continuous reign.

Across 2 Chelsea spells, José Mourinho managed 321 matches and won 204, a 63.6% win rate. Major honours: 2005 Football League Cup 2004–05 Premier League 2005 FA Community Shield 2005–06 Premier League 2007 Football League Cup 2007 FA Cup; 2015 Football League Cup 2014–15 Premier League.