Eden Hazard has claimed that he was never trying to get Jose Mourinho sacked during his time at Chelsea, and added he never wanted the Portuguese manager to leave West London, as reported by the Evening Standard.
Hazard’s 2015/16 season was one for the Belgian to forget, including the fact that the winger didn’t manage a goal in the Premier League until April. In comparison, Hazard was named as the PFA Player of the Year the season before.
By the time the former LOSC Lille man had netted in the Premier League last season for the Blues, 53-year-old Mourinho had already been given his marching orders by Roman Abramovic and co for the second time in his career – and most probably the last.
Following the sacking, Chelsea Sporting Director Michael Emenalo said that there was an obvious ‘palpable discord‘ between the manager and his players.
Hazard had been heavily criticised by the Chelsea supporters for not performing well enough for the Special One, who is now manager of fellow Premier League outfit, Manchester United.
However, the Belgian captain has told French paper, L’Equipe that he never went out of his way in an attempt to get Mourinho the sack, and never wanted the manager to depart his office at Stamford Bridge.
People say what they want. It was a period where I wasn’t playing well. But deep down I never wanted Mourinho to be fired. I was behind him.
We experienced some great things. This year I wasn’t as good. But I picked myself up. I took it upon myself. I was criticised a lot. I made do with it. It doesn’t affect me. I’ve come back well, quite simply.
I haven’t had a good year. You have to be clear — I’ve had a rubbish year apart from the final month [for Chelsea]. I had little problems, injuries and a loss of form.
When I got back to 100 percent at the end of the season, I showed everything that I could do. I hope to continue that way.
