Jose Mourinho says rift with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is a thing of the past

In his first spell at the club, starting in 2004, Mourinho won the league in both his first two seasons, only to fall out with the Russian owner and leave in September 2007.

He returned two years ago, finishing third in his first season and then winning the title again in May.

“In my first period, my personal relationship (with Abramovich) was very good (but) professionally we had some interferences and a bit of a disagreement with some ideas,” Mourinho told Sky Sports News.

“In this moment we don’t have this problem. When I left Real Madrid to come here, Mr Abramovich asked me to fight for titles.

“In my first season we were almost there, in my second season we did it and in my third season if you are close, you can always do it.”

Chelsea are aiming to become the first team to retain the title since Manchester United in 2009 and Mourinho believes it will be the usual clubs challenging them.

“The top five are the top five, and why not a club like Tottenham to get in there?” he said.