Chelsea v Inter Milan: Jose Mourinho pays respects ahead of his return 'home'

Duly fortified, the former Chelsea manager took time out before training to deliver a lengthy, rather moving homily to the club he clearly still holds very dear, only once offering a disparaging comment. Reflecting on how his path and Chelsea’s have diverged since he was dismissed in 2007, Mourinho said: “I keep winning important things. They keep winning something. They won an FA Cup.’’ Otherwise respect reigned. The special relationship remained intact.

“The most important thing is the relation we have,’’ said the Inter Milan coach, holding court in the Centenary Club at the Bridge in advance of Tuesday night’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie, in which the Italians have a 2-1 advantage. “No regrets, no big problems. Just respect. Coming back to an ex-club it is important to feel like I feel. It’s one of the most beautiful things in football. They move on, I move on.’’