Chelsea legend Frank Lampard: Why I'm glad I SNUBBED Jose Mourinho

Posted Sunday, May 24, 2015 by Dailystar.co.uk

FRANK LAMPARD says the best move of his footballing life was saying ‘No Way’ to Jose.

Lampard, who packs his bags for New York City after his final game for Man City today, has rich memories of the Premier League from 20 years with West Ham, Chelsea and now at The Etihad.

But he looks back to the time he came close to joining Mourinho when the Portuguese was Inter Milan manager between 2008 and 2010.

Lampard was tempted to quit England for Serie A but a last-minute change of heart saw him saying “no” to Mourinho.

And boy, is he delighted he did.

Lampard, 36, said: “I had ideas when I was younger of taking that challenge on of going abroad. It came up a few times but the only realistic one was to go to Inter Milan when Jose was there.

GOOD DECISION: Lampard is glad he stayed at Chelsea

"But I decided against it and I’m very pleased I did now because of what I have achieved with the longevity of playing at Chelsea, with winning more trophies – the European Cup, the Europa League, another league title and some personal stuff.

"Everything, though, came together. I thought about it because it was a different stage of my life. I had lost my mum the year before.

"In the end, it was a personal and a professional choice to stay at Chelsea – and certainly the right one.”

Lamps, though, feels he was robbed of an emotional farewell at Stamford Bridge after 13 years’ service where he became the club’s all-time leading goal scorer.

The ex-England international added: “I would have liked to have left Chelsea with a home game to say goodbye but I didn’t get that. I was told I was leaving a week after the last home game.

"If anything, that was an anti-climax but I didn’t need a complete fanfare.

"My fanfare was looking back on nights and victories and Munich and winning the Premier League at Bolton.”

Mourinho and his side face Sunderland today while Lampard will wave goodbye to the Premier League with City against Southampton.

The Stamford Bridge club will finally get their hands on the Premier League trophy, with the very real possibility of tears from both managers.

Dutchman Dick Advocaat broke down after Sunderland secured their top-flight status against Arsenal in midweek.

And Mourinho said: “I have never cried because of defeat. Never. But in victory, yes.

"I didn’t exactly cry but there were a couple of tears after our Capital One Cup victory.

"Most of all, Advocaat’s tears showed his big passion for the game, for his job and his commitment to the cause.

"His emotion after the Arsenal game showed that this is not only about one more job or one more pound. It’s all about our passion and desire.”

Mourinho, of course, has not been involved in a relegation scrap since his spell in charge of Portuguese minnows Uniao de Leiria between 2001 and 2002.

But the ex-Porto, Real Madrid and Inter coach is full of sympathy with those managers fighting down at the bottom of the table.

The Special One added: “I’m very sad with the situation for these managers and teams.

"Not just for Steve Bruce and John Carver but also for Sean Dyche, who did a good job at Burnley but was still relegated, and for QPR and their coach Chris Ramsey.

"I feel very sorry for all of them. It is a sad thing.”