• Mourinho’s friend Bruno Ribeiro lands coach’s job with Bulgarian club • ‘Without doubt he is going to help us,’ Ribeiro says of Chelsea manager

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

José Mourinho is ready to loan Chelsea players to Ludogorets, according to the Bulgarian champions’ new Portuguese coach, Bruno Ribeiro.

Ribeiro is a close friend of Mourinho, with both men born in Setubal, albeit 12 years apart. Ludogorets reached the group stage of the Champions League last season and drew 2-2 at home to Liverpool. They will enter this season’s competition in the second qualifying round.

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“José Mourinho is like a brother of mine,” Ribeiro, a former Leeds United and Sheffield United midfielder, told Bulgarian media. “We talked about Ludogorets and he advised me to come here.

“It is possible that some Chelsea players will join Ludogorets [on loan]. I’ll talk with Mourinho and see what happens. Without doubt he is going to help us.”

Chelsea had 26 players out on loan at clubs in England and overseas at the end of last summer’s transfer window.