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LONDON (AP) — Jose Mourinho's joy over winning the Premier League was tempered by concerns over his father's health.
Between the victory over Leicester on Wednesday and Sunday's title-clinching win over Crystal Palace, Mourinho dashed back to Portugal as father Jose Sr. underwent unspecified surgery on his head.
"When the game finished at Leicester I got immediately on a private plane to go to Portugal and I was there with him in the most difficult moment when he had the surgery," Mourinho said. "Everything is under control. He is strong and getting better."
With his third Premier League title secured with three games to spare after Chelsea beat Palace 1-0, Mourinho has more time to spend with his family in the final weeks of the season and finally try to relax.
"I think tonight we have nothing together (as a team)," Mourinho said. "My family is here. I go home and I enjoy with them."
The 52-year-old Portuguese said his decision to return to Stamford Bridge in 2013 after a six-year absence has been vindicated by this season's double of the Premier League and League Cup. It takes his career trophy haul to 22, including league title triumphs with Porto, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and two in his 2004-07 Chelsea reign.
"I'm not the smartest guy to choose countries and clubs," Mourinho said. "I could choose another club in another country (after leaving Madrid in 2013) where to be champion is easier. I choose the most difficult league in Europe. I choose a club where I was happy before.
"In my country we say a lot: don't go back to a place where you were happy before, because you risk what you did before. I risk. I'm so, so happy, because I won another Premier League title."
Mourinho sees this spell in charge at Stamford Bridge lasting longer than his first when he fell out with owner Roman Abramovich after three years. One gap in his Chelsea record a Champions League title to go with those he won at Porto and Inter.
"The day I don't feel that passion to try to do it again, I stop. I don't feel that day is arriving," Mourinho said. "I still enjoy to be tired after a very difficult match. So I think I am in the right place. As I was saying since the beginning of the season, I stay here until Mr. Abramovich wants me to stay. The day he tells me to go, I go."
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