Jose Mourinho claims managing Chelsea isn’t difficult because he and few other coaches won titles at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons.
Mourinho will have his first chance to take on new Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel on Thursday when Spurs host the Blues in north London.
The Portuguese boss made his name at Stamford Bridge after joining from Porto in 2004, winning three Premier League titles over two separate stints in charge.
But Mourinho did acknowledge he is not the only manager to have guided the club to domestic honours.
The Portuguese said ahead of his side’s clash with Chelsea: “I don’t think it’s very difficult to coach at Chelsea because I was champion three times, [Carlo] Ancelotti was champion, Antonio Conte was champion. Who else? It cannot be very, very difficult because we win titles there,” Mourinho said.
“I believe Chelsea always has great players and great squads and good coaches are happy to work with these clubs and with players that give you a very good opportunity to win titles.”
Chelsea have witnessed a dismal run of form in recent months, which led to the ouster of Frank Lampard last week.
Tuchel, most recently in charge of PSG until he was sacked in December, was brought in and has led the Blues to a win and a draw in his first two matches in charge.
However, Mourinho has tipped to opponent to succeed, as he believes managing in the Premier League will be a major boost for Tuchel, who led PSG to Ligue 1 championships in both of the full seasons he was in charge.
“The biggest challenge for a coach is to work in the best leagues. Our league in this moment is the most challenging one,” Mourinho said.
“Tuchel was coming from a league that you cannot compare with the Premier League.
“But he is used to working with players of high calibre, used to dressing rooms with important players. He will fit well in a club like Chelsea.”
Tottenham enter Thursday’s match in seventh place, level on points but with a game in hand over eighth-place Chelsea.
