- and that was without a lot of their players being in particularly

Was it really as long as 12 years ago when a slim, slightly-built Portuguese man arrived in west London amid a blaze of hype and fanfare? This was no ordinary manager, however, and on that day - Wednesday, June 2, 2004 - he was about to tell the assembled expectant media as such with a claim which would not only go down in the annals of football history, but could have equally come back to bite him on the behind.Chelsea had been in the Premier League shadows of London rivals Arsenal, who in 2003/4 had just delivered an incredible unbeaten season and a third Premier League title under Arsene Wenger with their Invincibles side. Neutrals may have pointed to that theme continuing, but furnished with the riches of owner Roman Abramovich, the newly-appointed Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho knew different. Please dont call me arrogant, but Im European champion and I think Im a special one. Jose Mourinho Please dont call me arrogant, but Im European champion and I think Im a special one, said Mourinho, before adding: We have top players and, sorry if Im arrogant, we have a top manager. Mourinho took over from Claudio Ranieri, who had been at Stamford Bridge for four years. At the time, the well-liked Italian professed that his replacement would struggle to make the transition from the Portuguese League to the Premier League. Mourinhos reply was typical of the man.I heard that and I suggest if one of you is Mr Ranieris friend or has his number, you should call him and explain to him that for a team to win the European Cup, it has to beat many teams from many countries. I did not win the cup playing against 20 Portuguese teams. Heres a look at some of Mourinhos funniest moments in the Premier League I played and beat a team from his own country, Italy, from your country and the one he was working in, England. And to win the UEFA Cup, that was the same kind of thing.It was all breathtaking stuff, pure box office, and would continue to be so for both his spells in charge at Stamford Bridge - from 2004 to 2007, and from 2013 to 2015. Mourinho went on to back up his claims by guiding Chelsea to three Premier League titles, the FA Cup in the 2006/07 season and three League Cup wins.Humility is perhaps something one doesnt often attribute to Mourinho, but when asked about his initial Premier League ambitions 12 years ago as he began his career at Chelsea, he replied: The biggest ambition I have is to win the first Premiership match on August 14. When pushed to expand on that theme, he added: The second ambition is to win the second Premiership match on August 21 and we will keep going like this.With earlier Champions League successes at Porto and then later at Inter, it was that prospect of winning pedigree in the hotseat which saw Manchester United decide to ditch Louis van Gaal two years into his three-year contract. Mourinho has replaced Louis van Gaal in the Manchester United dugout Despite seeing their side see off Crystal Palace to win the FA Cup, United vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Red Devils fans were in the main forced to witness dire football under Van Gaal. All parties at United are now eager to see the Special One bring his special charms to Old Trafford.Combining his two spells in England, Mourinho has won 140 of 212 Premier League games, a win percentage of 66%, the highest in Premier League history and a stat which United hope will continue.Loved and loathed in equal measure, his record of a total of 22 trophies shows Mourinho is nevertheless a serial winner. Heres a look at what Mourinho has had to say about Manchester United in the past So the sacking by Chelsea last December was a particularly bitter pill for Mourinho to have swallowed. When Mourinho was sacked last December, he left Chelsea just one point above the relegation zone, having lost nine of their first 16 Premier League games.Despite all the silverware, Jamie Carragher would reason on Sky Sports following the Blues 2015 Champions League last-16 exit to Paris Saint-Germain at Stamford Bridge that Mourinhos teams will be respected for the titles they win, but theyll never be loved.Following Chelseas 2-1 Premier League loss at Leicester last December, Mourinho was clearly not happy, as Eden Hazard indicated his hip injury would not allow him to continue. The former Chelsea player of the season, Hazard was a shadow of himself in his second season under Mourinho, and only rediscovered his form once the latter had departed. Mourinho on the touchline at Leicesters King Power Stadium in the final game of his second spell in charge of Chelsea in December 2015 Results improved markedly under caretaker coach Guus Hiddink as Chelsea steered well clear of the drop zone, using the same players as under Mourinho, thus pointing to a loss of team spirit.Speaking on June 2, 2004, Mourinho stressed the importance of spirit, which was evident when Chelsea were lifting silverware, but noticeably absent in his final days as Chelsea manager.Im a great defender of team spirit and team work and the first thing I have to promise to my new players is that I will look at them all with the same eyes, he said.I dont want special relations with one of them. I hate to speak about individuals. Players dont win you trophies - teams win trophies, squads win trophies.I cannot say I love this player, but generally I love the players who love to win. Not only the ones that love to win in 90 minutes but love to win every day, in every training session and in all of their lives. Former Chelsea and Manchester United chief executive Peter Kenyon believes Mourinho is the perfect replacement for Louis van Gaal The United players will be aware that Mourinho has shown he only selects players who demonstrate a continuous work ethic, both with and without the ball.His willingness to castigate and then discard Joe Cole for a perceived unwillingness to track back and defend was echoed when Mourinho sold Blues favourite Juan Mata for £37.1m to United. The two are therefore likely to have only a brief working relationship when Mourinho and Mata are reunited at Old Trafford.It may have previously been unthinkable to even imagine Mourinho at United, but following Fergusons retirement in 2013 and the short but unpopular 10-month stint of David Moyes in 2013/14, followed by the dull, dour Van Gaal style, Mourinho will be perceived as a breath of fresh air, and that is what United are desperate for.There will be no Champions League football for Mourinho, not next season anyway, but he will be given a massive war chest to get new players. Heavily linked in the British press with a move for Chelseas Willian and reportedly desperate to finally land Evertons John Stones, they may be the first of many new arrivals at Old Trafford. Mourinho is reportedly keen on bringing Chelsea forward Willian with him to Old Trafford However, a reluctance to blood youngsters has dogged Mourinho, and at Chelsea, only 20-year-old Ruben Loftus-Cheek emerged from the Blues academy - and even he was only used sparingly.Despite his perceived failings at United, Van Gaal gave young players a chance and we witnessed the explosive start of 18-year-old Marcus Rashford, with 19-year-old Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, 18-year-old Tomothy Fosu-Mensah, 21-year-old Patrick McNair and 23-year-old Jesse Lingard forming a very able supporting cast. United fans will want to see their careers continue to develop at Old Trafford, and for them not to be loaned out elsewhere.The United job is one that Mourinho has long coveted, and the 20-times English champions were keen to get their main. The Special One will now look to prove that 12 years on from his dramatic Premier League arrival, and six months after his sacking by Chelsea, he has lost none of his winning allure. Also See: Mourinho and Man Utd timeline Joses biggest job? Mourinho in numbers Mourinho and Man Utd in quotes Karl Malone Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Jeff Hornacek Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-rudy-gobert-jazz-jersey/ . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes. Derrick Favors Jersey John Stockton Jersey . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007.Rob Key will be Sky Sports man on the ground in India, providing regular video diaries during the ICC World Twenty20. Keep tabs on what Keysy gets up to throughout the tournament on our digital platforms, as he is embedded with the Ireland team initially before teaming up with England.Ahead of his flight, Key talked Karl Pilkington, Kabaddi and curry. Oh, and some cricket…I have been to India a couple of times before; its a great place. I cant wait to explore as much of the country as I can, as well as watch how the teams prepare for the World T20 and see what they get up to on and off the field. Were just days away from the start of the ICC World Twenty20. Who will walk away with the trophy? The producer has me earmarked for a Karl Pilkington-type trip I think!Personally, I want to try a bit of Kabaddi. I used to watch it every Saturday morning, and play it with my kids. Maybe Ill make it along to a professional team and see if I can have a go!Ill have my hands full with Ireland, though. It will be nice to meet up with the squad as I know a few of the guys. Ive played with and against Ed Joyce for years, while Niall Nobby OBrien started off at Kent.Nobby is very much like what you see on camera; he is a lively character, enjoys life and is infectious to be around. Ireland captain William Porterfield explains how the side are preparing for the World T20 in India But I still need to knuckle down and get some sort of pre-season under my belt out there for Kent.dddddddddddd Who knows, if they pick up any injuries, they might even draft me in as a specialist fielder!Ireland must be one of the most experienced teams of the associate counties, and they have a great chance to qualify given some of the players they have.Having Boyd Rankin back is big for them, as they generally have always had a strong batting line-up but have lacked a bit of firepower with the ball. Boyd Rankin played just one Test for England, and seven one-day internationals I thought he was unlucky with England as he never really got an opportunity to show what he could do. Hell get that opportunity here, in an environment he is probably more comfortable with.As for England, I reckon they are an outside bet for the tournament. In previous World Cups or World T20s that hasnt been the case - at times theyve almost been lucky to qualify!But now they seem to have a good formula, much like they did when they won in the West Indies in 2010.Im very jealous of the England players just now, as it seems like a really good time to walk into the team. Trevor Bayliss and Paul Farbrace have created a very relaxed and enjoyable culture about the place. South Africa celebrate a final-ball T20I win over England after Reece Topley missed a run out They very nearly won their white-ball series in South Africa - but for a dropped catch in the fourth ODI and a missed run out in the first T20I it might have been very different - and that was without a lot of their players being in particularly good form.If they do find form, they can beat anybody. They have the right players out there, have a good balance to their team, and Id say they are one of at least the top three teams in the competition.Im also looking forward to watching the likes of Chris Gayle in action. Virat Kohli, too, is someone I have always enjoyed watching play. Glenn Maxwell is another. Chris Gayle is one of the batsmen Rob Key is most looking forward to watching in the World T20 I think were going to see some extraordinary cricket in this World T20 as conditions will generally be bat-friendly.Plus, Ill be looking to sample some local cuisine. Youre best off going with whatever curry you can rather any home cooking. Leave it to the experts!Sky Sports is the only place you can watch all 35 games of the 2016 ICC World T20, starting with Zimbabwe v Hong Kong on Tuesday 8th March at 9am on Sky Sports 2 HD. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Also See: ICC World T20 fixtures ICC World T20 squads WATCH: Best of 2014 World T20 Pick your Ultimate World T20 XI ' ' '