Former Chelsea striker, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has revealed that the club’s former manager, Jose Mourinho has apologized to him over his exit from Stamford Bridge.
According to Hasselbaink, the Portuguese gaffer wanted Didier Drogba to join him at Chelsea and be the club’s striker.
The 52-year-old said this while opening up about his departure from the Premier League west London club.
He noted that he never even received a phone call from Mourinho before he was sold.
Hasselbaink joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid for £15million in 2000.
The Dutch attacker quickly proved his worth at Chelsea with a goal on his league debut against West Ham.
Hasselbaink formed a deadly partnership with Eidur Gudjohnsen as he scored 46 league goals in his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge.
But he was quickly deemed suprlus to requirements and left Chelsea to join Middlesbrough following the arrival of Mourinho and Drogba to the club.
Both Mourinho and Drogba had joined Chelsea from FC Porto, and Marseille, respectively .
“Jose [Mourinho] came to the club in 2004 and basically said that I could go,” Hasselbaink told BetMGM’s The LineUp.
“There wasn’t a phone call or anything like that from him. Peter Kenyon [then Chelsea chief executive] called my agent but that was about it.
“I would have loved Jose to have had the decency to have called me to explain it but that’s football and these things happen.”
He added, “I have seen him since and he’s apologized and said he shouldn’t have done it like he did.”
https://youtu.be/HX3QVnUFpm0?si=vlrwqk4L1TtH2DAw
“Football is a game of opinions and sometimes managers just don’t fancy you.
“I went to Middlesbrough and scored 18 goals that season so I still had a lot to offer, but he wanted a new striker and they got Drogba.”
By Damilola Adeleke| January 10, 2025
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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