Matic denies rift with Mourinho

Nemanja Matic has told Serbian television there is no truth in reports he had a bad relationship with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Serbia international Matic was taken off by Mourinho 27 minutes after being brought on as a half-time substitute during the Blues’ home defeat by Southampton in October.[phone][/phone]

And he was one of several Chelsea players believed to have fallen out with Mourinho prior to the Portuguese’s recent sacking.

But Matic said: “I’ve worked with Mourinho two beautiful years, so for me he is always linked with the good memories.

“I think I have read several times that I had a bad relationship with him, but it is likely to have been written by some idiots.

“I talked to Mourinho about these allegations and we just laughed.”