Eden Hazard has revealed his regret at how his time with Jose Mourinho ended and says he will like to work with the Portuguese again.
In an interview with Belgian newspaper HLN , Hazard has explained how Mourinho’s second spell as Chelsea manager resulted into a “negative cycle” in his third campaign that saw him criticising players.
But Hazard admitted guilt for what he called his worst season in football, which saw Mourinho sacked midway through the 2015-16 season- just months after winning the Premier League.
He says he sent a text to Mourinho shortly after his sack, apologising for his performances.
“In 12 years I’ve only had one bad season, the last six months under Mourinho, and it was partly my own fault,” he said. “After the title, we asked Mourinho for extra holidays. I came back totally out of shape.”
He added: “The last season under Mourinho was not enjoyable. We didn’t win, we got into a sort of routine, training without having fun, it was better for all parties that we parted ways. But if I’m asked now about one coach with whom I want to work again, I would say Mourinho.
“I don’t regret many things in my career, but that I have not been able to work with Mourinho at Chelsea anymore is one of them. We had a team that could win more trophies. We just ended up in a negative cycle.
“I sent him a message to say I was sorry he had gone and that I was sorry. We’d enjoyed all that success together, but this time we hadn’t. I felt a little bit guilty because I’d been player of the year. I’d been one of the most decisive players, and then I performed less.”
Mourinho’s position as United manager has come under heavy criticism after their worst start to a Premier League season in what is his third year at the club, though the board continue to back him.
His relationship with Paul Pogba has also appeared strained, having removed the player of the vice-captaincy and been involved in a heated exchange on the training ground.
Hazard, who is enjoying life under Maurizio Sarri and has eight goals in 10 games this season, has come to the defence of Mourinho’s style.
“Mourinho’s image of an extremely defensive coach isn’t completely right,” Hazard said.
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“He is far from adventurous like Pep Guardiola, but the season in which we became champions, we have made many goals and played good games.”
