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Jose Mourinho after the match against Osasuna. Photo: EPA

EPL jumps gun on Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea

The official English Premier League website jumped the gun yesterday on Jose Mourinho's expected return to Chelsea by running a report with today's date - but key details left blank - announcing his appointment.

The official English Premier League website jumped the gun yesterday on Jose Mourinho's expected return to Chelsea by running a report with today's date - but key details left blank - announcing his appointment.

"Portuguese coach is back at Stamford Bridge after signing a xx-year contract," it said.

"Jose Mourinho returns for second stint as Chelsea manager. Portuguese signs x-year-deal," the website added in key points alongside the story, which was later removed.

Mourinho, 50, bowed out of Real Madrid with a 4-2 home La Liga win over Osasuna on Saturday and is poised to rejoin Chelsea, although neither the London club nor the coach has confirmed his next destination.

The Portuguese first joined Chelsea as manager in 2004 and won back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

Former Stamford Bridge defender Ricardo Carvalho made clear on Saturday that Mourinho was poised to return when he told Sky Sports television that the Portuguese could win the title with the Chelsea squad again next year.

Mourinho was booed by a sparse home crowd as he ended his controversial three-year spell in charge of Real Madrid with the win over Osasuna.

His name was met with whistles when it was read out before kick-off, but he did receive support from a small group of the club's fans who chanted his name throughout.

He did not appear at the post-match news conference, leaving veteran defender Alvaro Arbeloa to have the final say on the controversial manager.

"We respect his decision, the club's too, and wish him well. We all know that we have taken a major leap in competitiveness and we knew we could have achieved a lot, but due to small details or bad luck it was not to be," Arbeloa said.

"He has had his successes and failures, as we have all had but he gave his all and defended Real Madrid above everything".

Champions Barcelona matched the record tally of 100 points in a La Liga season and achieved a club-best total of 115 goals after sweeping aside Malaga 4-1 at the Nou Camp in their final game.

In his first campaign, Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova equalled Real Madrid's points haul set under Mourinho and beat Barcelona predecessor Pep Guardiola's club record of 114 goals in a season, both of which were set last year.

Barca finished top, having scored in all 38 games and were a dominating 15 goals ahead of second-placed Real.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: EPL jumps gun on Mourinho's return
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