LONDON, England, October 1- Jose Mourinho called an abrupt end to his ‘Happy One’ image, losing patience when asked to explain why he had left behind Chelsea midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.
Mourinho arrived in Bucharest to find rain pouring down, the pitch sodden and the FA still dithering about whether to charge Fernando Torres with violent conduct after Saturday’s clash with Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen.
When asked about his decision to omit De Bruyne, the Chelsea boss flounced out of his press conference, leaving midfielder Frank Lampard to continue.
“This is fantastic because no one asks me a about Juan Mata,” said Mourinho, answering the De Bruyne question before throwing his strop.
“You have spoken about Mata for three weeks. Now you’re asking about Kevin. You are impressed (with) the players who are not playing.
“He was not selected. Only 11 can play and I tried to decide, by what they do on the pitch when they play and in training.
“This fellow beside me (Frank Lampard) knows me for nine years and that I make mistakes, but I try to be honest all the time. I was honest with Juan because of what he’s done in training and what he’s done in the game he played, and so he plays.”
“With Kevin, I didn’t like the match he played against Swindon, and I didn’t like the way he was training. But you only ask about the guys who were not selected. Thank you.”
Mourinho then stood up, gave a little wave and left to take training. It was a distinct contrast to his generally sunny demeanour since returning from Real Madrid.
The manager has been relaxed and convivial for the most part but on this occasion something seemed to be bothering him from the moment he arrived.
Stony-faced, he was asked why Eden Hazard and De Bruyne had not travelled. Hazard was injured, he replied, an ankle knock which makes him a doubt for Sunday’s game at Norwich. De Bruyne’s omission was simply his decision.
Torres, meanwhile, faces the threat of an extended ban as the FA examine footage of him scratching Jan Vertonghen’s face during the 1-1 draw at Spurs.
-By Daily Mail