That Season When . . . Chelsea became “The Special” Club with José Mourinho

Football Daily

BBC

Soccer, Sports, News, Sports News, Sport

4.3 • 4.5K Ratings

🗓️ 16 June 2025

⏱️ 53 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In June 2004, José Mourinho made headlines around the world by claiming ‘I think I’m a special one’ at his unveiling as Chelsea manager. Just under a year later, he lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time, delivering Chelsea their first league title in 50 years.

Robert Huth was part of the Chelsea defence that conceded only 15 goals in the league that season – and he joins Mark Chapman, Chris Sutton and Rory Smith 20 years later to reflect on an incredible achievement. They look back on Jose Mourinho’s management style – what was it like to be coached by him?

Can he be credited with bringing the 4-3-3 to English football? Hear from midfielder Claude Makélélé on his role within the team and from Sir Alex Ferguson on his rivalry with José Mourinho.

[This is re-versioned episode from the Football Daily’s archive. It was first published on the 26th April 2025]

They also discuss what nearly became a domestic treble for Mourinho in his first year in English football, and remember one of the Premier League’s most memorable seasons.

Transcript

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0:00.0	Before this BBC podcast kicks off, I'd like to tell you about some others you might enjoy.
0:05.1	My name's Will Wilkin and I Commission Music Podcast for the BBC.
0:08.7	It's a really cool job, but every day we get to tell the incredible stories behind songs,
0:13.5	moments and movements, stories of struggle and success, rises and falls, the funny, the ridiculous.
0:19.1	And the BBC's position, at the heart of British music
0:21.7	means we can tell those stories like no one else.
0:24.5	We were, are and always will be right there at the centre of the narrative.
0:28.6	So whether you want an insightful take on music right now
0:31.3	or a nostalgic deep dive into some of the most famous and infamous moments in music,
0:36.1	check out the music podcasts on BBC Sounds.
0:40.1	BBC Sounds, music radio podcasts.
0:44.6	The Football Daily Podcasts with Mark Chapman.
0:49.5	20 years ago, Chelsea won their first top flight title in half a century. Over the next hour, we'll remember that achievement
0:56.0	and the man who made it possible in his first season in English football.
1:00.7	I'm not of the bottle. I think I'm a special one.
1:04.8	I think he represents the very best and we'll take us on from where we are today.
1:11.1	And Ido for Johnson has scored for Chelsea.
1:15.0	The first goal under new management, Jose Marino, can celebrate.
1:19.7	Trooper!
1:21.0	First goal for Chelsea for the 24 million pound man.
1:25.0	Shot low and this time it has got in from Didier Dropper.
1:29.3	Johnson heads it back.
	...

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