Glen Johnson has revealed how Jose Mourinho's fear factor spurred Chelsea on to winning their first Premier League title in 2005.
Thursday marks 15 years to the day since Frank Lampard's brace at Bolton secured the first of the club's three Premier League titles during Mourinho's two spells at Stamford Bridge.
Johnson made 16 League appearances across the title-winning campaign, and 39 under Mourinho in all competitions across his time in west London.
The former England international has hailed Mourinho's refreshing approach to management and explained how, despite his charisma, there was always an element of fear within the squad.
"Mourinho was an absolutely brilliant coach and what I really enjoyed was how refreshing everything he did was," Johnson wrote in a blog for BETDAQ.
"The methods he used were different to anything we'd experienced before, but it really didn't take long to adjust to them.
"When I first met him I didn't really know much about him or who he was and it was very unique to meet a manager who had the charisma that Jose had.
"None of us really knew how to take it, but we learnt quickly how he was and the way he wanted to do things.
"Jose was clever in the fact that he would be nice to everyone, but there was a dark side that brought a fear factor to the squad.
"Even the more high-profile players were wary of him and fearful of getting on the wrong side of him. You didn't want to disappoint him and that's what spurred us on.
"We were so confident and although we didn't necessarily blow teams away, we always thought we were going to win.
"In any sport, confidence is huge and if you give the best players confidence then who's going to stop them?
"That's credit to Mourinho in the way he made us feel and the fact that he got us enjoying training.
"Everyone was just riding the crest of a wave and we all believed in what he said to us."
saobikmuy
0
Chelsea rumors transfer of players
saobikmuy
0
Chelsea rumors in transfer
AlhajiFolawemi
1
Until man utd, every players praise JM. After man utd, only the lazy Man UTD players talk odd and ill about him. In every team he coached until man utd, the top players in each team have all talked great of him. Zidane brought 3 UCL to Madrid and Ramos said, all thanks to JM, it was his hard work that set them on road to the success. The man deserves everyone’s respect. Only the lazy players from man utd talk Ill of JM I reiterate and their chairman is Pogba. He still can’t find his feet under Solksjaer. No wonder some sensible utd fans call him Virus. Respect to the man of the ppu 🙌🏻🙌🏻✊🏼👏👏👏✊🏼
Natblnpt
2
That is why it amuses me when some ignorant people say his tactics are old or archaic.They seem to forget how lazy, indiscipline and uncommitted the players are.Players now have power because the board support them more than the coach...
jieceip
1
I like Jose super Frankie, captain Terry, king Drogba and centerhalf carvarho
Mr_Stamford
1
Lampard scores to hand Chelsea Epl title while Gerard slipped cost Liverpool Epl title 🤣🤣 some respek on my manager’s name Super Frankie
Zuddkoyz
1
JOSE MOURINO IS ADORABLE AND HARD WORKING PLAYERS APPRECIATE HIM. ONLY LAZY ONCE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HIM. I THINK WE CHELSEA PEOPLE OWES HIM A LOT.
gracereo4u
1
Mourinho remains the best coach till infinity
Zuddkoyz
0
THE MAN IS ADORABLE AND HARD WORKING PLAYERS APPRECIATE HIS WORKS WHILE LAZY ONCE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH HIM.
bindiklpsu
0
The only special one and chelsea's greatest manager in history
Yeager
1
The Special One Indeed