Chelsea manager regrets not signing Steven Gerrard in 2005

Mourinho denounces Chelsea fans who taunt Steven Gerrard at Stamford Bridge, saying that the Reds Legend deserves respect Mourinho admits that failing to bring Steven Gerrard to Stamford Bridge in 2005, during his first spell at Chelsea is one of his greatest disappointments. Back then, Gerrard was a transfer speculation but only decided to stay back at Liverpool but he ends the 17 year-old long career with the Reds when he moves to LA Galaxy by the end of this season. “He [Gerrard] is a historical player for Liverpool, a historical player for the Premier League and an opponent I have always admired and respected. “We did everything to try [to sign him] and it was almost there. I was dreaming of [Claude] Makélélé, Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard in midfield. “We were playing in a proper triangle without a No10 and playing Maka in front of the defenders. Me, Mr Abramovich and [the former Chelsea chief executive] Peter Kenyon at that time, we dreamed of that. “His people were open to him joining a top side like Chelsea. But to me personally he never said he would come. Never. He [Gerrard] was always a red and I think the decision was right.” The Portuguese manager added that he does not like a taunt song Blues fans sing mocking the 34 year-old Kops legend, following his slip-up against Chelsea at Anfield last season which gave Chelsea a 2-0 win. “The song that my fans have I don’t like at all. “A couple of times it is good fun but to go and go and go, especially with a player like him who deserves respect, I don’t think you don’t need that. We have so many other songs, you don’t need that one. “I love this quote when he was saying in his life he would never score a goal against Liverpool. I love these words. “I understand why he was – almost, almost, almost – coming to Chelsea. But he didn’t and I respect that a lot.”