France legend Marcel Desailly has revealed that Jose Mourinho wanted him to stay at Chelsea when the Portuguese gaffer was appointed as the head coach of the club in 2004.

Desailly featured for Chelsea from 1998 – 2004 before leaving the English Premier League side to join Qatar side Al Garahfa just after the appointment of Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea became a powerhouse after he had left the club, winning back to back the  English Premier League , the English League Cup and the F A Cup.

Speaking exclusively to footballmadeinghana.com, the 1998 World Cup winner disclosed how he turned down Mourinho’s offer to remain at the club for another season.

“I could have stay but I was already 35. I spoke with Mourinho and he wanted me stay. He told me I’m the leader and I will not be playing all the games because John Terry and William Gallas were better than me.

“Because I was a bit old but I told him I wanted to go that is why I ended up in Qatar because I wanted to play football.”

“I have been at Chelsea from 1998 to 2004. We almost won the league in 2003/2004, but the invincible from Arsenal took it from us. That one was for us but destiny wanted Arsenal to win it.”

The Ghanaian born French defender won the Italian Serie A twice with AC Millan, plus the European Cup and the Super Cup.

He also lifted the UEFA Champions league with Marseille in the 1992-1993 season.