to be honest, i (and i think most people outside, perhaps, Chelsea fans) never believed that. both because of Mourinho's restlessness and because Chelsea / Abramovich wouldn't magically change overnight from a trophy-hungry club into one patient & sensible enough to accommodate a manager with a long-term project. and them spectacularly chasing Mourinho out of the club at the first sign of trouble pretty much proves it. no, i think that was mostly a conveniently worded way of explaining Abramovich's backpedaling & something of an ideal 'excuse' for Mourinho for going back to a club that allowed him like no other (at least out of those available at the time) to do the thing he wants the most - win trophies - while simultaneously competing in the most prestigious league in Europe & staying in the country his wife and kids prefer.