The playmaker recently returned to Betis
Real Betis’ attacking midfielder Joaquin has admitted he doesn’t regret snubbing Jose Mourinho way back in 2004.
The former Spanish international was hot property in the early noughties, especially in European football; and he has revealed he turned down a move to Chelsea when Jose Mourinho began his first spell as manager.
Despite being offered a significant amount of money and the opportunity of winning trophies, Joaquin snubbed a move to Stamford Bridge to stay in La Liga with Betis when he was 23-years old.
Now the maestro is 34 and, following spells at Valencia, Malaga and Fiorentina, he made his return to Betis in the recent summer transfer window.
Finally, he has opened up about that rejection of a glamorous Premier League switch 11 years ago.
‘My happiness at that time was not there’
“Do I regret not joining Chelsea? Absolutely not. I lost a significant opportunity, economically and sporting wise, willing titles or being a much more important player, I know that, but I don’t regret it,” insisted Joaquin.
“My happiness at that time was not there, that’s why I stayed. I went to Madrid, to film an advert with Mahou and they were waiting for me there.
Mourinho wanted to see me but I said ‘If I go there, he’s going to convince me’ and leaving Betis never crossed my mind.”
“That’s why I never went to meet him. He said enough over the phone. The next day, I came back and I spoke to my father who told him ‘Mourinho, get back, because he’s not leaving here’,” admitted the Spaniard.
He also added: “In the final conversation I had with him, I told him that it never crossed my mind to leave, for all the money they offered me.
He told me to come with him and I said ‘Jose, look, I don’t think I’m going to be happy there and I prefer to stay.’ I was in good form with Betis. If he’d come to me at a different moment in time, things would’ve undoubtedly been different.”
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