Letting Mata go was hard for me- Mourinho
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that it was a "hard decision" for him to allow Juan Mata join Premier League rivals Manchester United.
The 2012/13 champions signed the 25 year old midfielder for a club record fee worth £37.1m that saw him leave the Stamford Bridge side for Old Trafford.
Mourinho told BBC Radio 5 live he would still have loved to have the Spanish midfielder in his squad.
"These are decisions a manager has to make, but for me it was a hard decision. I'd love to have him in my squad, absolutely," Mourinho said.
"But to have a player in this situation is hard. He deserves that Chelsea open the door for him [to play regular first-team football].
"I like people to be happy. I'm so sorry I couldn't make him happy in this squad - I'm so sad with that, but I build my team around Oscar playing as my number 10."
The Portuguese born coach assured that when Mata returns to Stamford Bridge with United,he is guaranteed a good reception from the Chelsea supporters.
"He's very classy. I think he's a player that stays in the fans' hearts and also in those of his colleagues," added the Portuguese.
"I'm just with him six months and I like him a lot. Imagine the people who have been with him for three years. He stays in the club history - he won important trophies and people loved him.
"He will come here with a Manchester United shirt on one day and the people will show him that."
The 2012/13 champions signed the 25 year old midfielder for a club record fee worth £37.1m that saw him leave the Stamford Bridge side for Old Trafford.
Mourinho told BBC Radio 5 live he would still have loved to have the Spanish midfielder in his squad.
"These are decisions a manager has to make, but for me it was a hard decision. I'd love to have him in my squad, absolutely," Mourinho said.
"But to have a player in this situation is hard. He deserves that Chelsea open the door for him [to play regular first-team football].
"I like people to be happy. I'm so sorry I couldn't make him happy in this squad - I'm so sad with that, but I build my team around Oscar playing as my number 10."
The Portuguese born coach assured that when Mata returns to Stamford Bridge with United,he is guaranteed a good reception from the Chelsea supporters.
"He's very classy. I think he's a player that stays in the fans' hearts and also in those of his colleagues," added the Portuguese.
"I'm just with him six months and I like him a lot. Imagine the people who have been with him for three years. He stays in the club history - he won important trophies and people loved him.
"He will come here with a Manchester United shirt on one day and the people will show him that."
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