The Portuguese saw speculation over his future effectively ended last week when chief executive Peter Kenyon moved to draw a line under a long-running saga.

Rumours of an alleged bust-up with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich and a denied approach to former Germany boss Jurgen Klinsmann had left Mourinho's position shrouded in speculation.

However, after seeing his side fail to take advantage of Manchester United's inability to beat Middlesbrough on Saturday evening by drawing 0-0 at Newcastle yesterday, the manager was happy to talk about the resolution of his situation and acknowledge his feeling for the club.

He said: "Of course it is more than a job for me. Maybe the country is special, maybe the country's football is special.

"Chelsea is my first club in this country and I do not think it would be easy for me in this country to leave Chelsea and go next door because we have become part of Chelsea history with the first title for 50 years, the connection with the supporters, the feeling with the supporters, everything together.

"I like the club, I like the players very, very much, I like the way I work with Peter Kenyon - I think he is top and the way we work together pleases me very, very much."

The goalless draw at St James' Park left the double Barclays Premiership champions three points adrift of leaders United with four games to play, although three of their remaining league fixtures - against Bolton, Everton, and perhaps crucially on May 9, the Red Devils - are at Stamford Bridge.

However, they know they will have to raise their standards once again if they are to complete a famous hat-trick of titles after being held comfortably on Tyneside.

For once, star striker Didier Drogba was effectively tamed by the excellent Steven Taylor and Titus Bramble, while Frank Lampard and substitute Joe Cole passed up excellent chances to win the game.

Indeed, it took a fine save by Petr Cech to deny Kieron Dyer as the Magpies claimed a deserved point.

But if his team failed to sparkle in the north-east, the same could not be said of their manager, who launched into a tirade over a penalty they might have been awarded for handball against Stephen Carr and the two with which he believes United have got away in their last two games.

Mourinho revealed his commitment to the job adding: "I am not saying it was easy, easy, easy, but I am not saying it was difficult, difficult, difficult.

"I have a job to do and I was always focused on the job. Now you think about the future, that is normal.

"But it helped me that I opened my mind, I opened my heart and told them I wanted to stay. I was only focused on my job.

"For the board to say they wanted me to stay and the story was over, it was important. It is good, it feels good.

"Now we can work together for the future. If any story comes again from the media, for me it is not a problem.

"What mattered for me is they wanted me to stay and my decision was made.

"I was not thinking much about my future or another club.

"At that moment I thought nothing because I knew I would be at Chelsea."

Mourinho's attention will now turn to Wednesday night's Champions League semi-final, first-leg clash with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge and a selection headache.

Ricardo Carvalho missed the trip to St James' through injury and emergency central defender Michael Essien is suspended.

In addition, Michael Ballack, the man whose extra-time goal booked his side's place in the FA Cup final, limped off before the break after finding himself on the wrong end of a no-holds-barred challenge from Bramble and is a doubt.

REF'S REPORT

Mark Halsey incurred Mourinho's wrath over his decision not to award a penalty against Carr, and television replays tended to support the Chelsea boss's claims. Halsey booked Essien, Mikel John Obi and Lampard for fouls, and none of the three could have any complaint.

FUSSY FACTOR

Too fussy for John Terry's liking as he fought and lost a physical battle with Antoine Sibierski at set-pieces.