LISBON (AFP) - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said that his Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, who failed a drugs test for cocaine, led a social life that was not compatible with a career in professional football.
"It is obviously a 'social drug' which does not enhance his sports performance, which is most likely the consequence of a social life that is incompatible with this profession and which made it impossible for him to affirm himself as a player at Chelsea," he wrote in his weekly column in "Dez", the magazine supplement of Portuguese sports daily Record.
Mourinho, who took Porto to Champions League glory last season, added that Mutu's behaviour had caused him to suspect before news of the positive test broke this week that the 25-year-old Romanian international was misbehaving in his private life.
"Sudden mood swings, isolation within the group, unexpected injuries, fatigue, difficulty in concentrating, early morning escapes from traffic police, public statements which were untrue and made no sense -- there were many situations which caused us to wonder," he wrote.
"I hope he has the strength to recover," Mourinho added.
British newspapers have reported that Mourinho himself asked for the drugs test, which was conducted earlier this month.
Mutu admits he took drugs but claims it was not cocaine but a drug to improve his sex life.
"It may be funny but it is true. I did not take cocaine. I took something to make me feel good," the player, who has been linked with a string of stunning models, told the Daily Mirror Friday. "I am not hooked on drugs. I categorically deny this."
Mutu, who signed for Chelsea for 15.8 million pounds (22.8 million euros, 28.9 million dollars) in July 2003, told the newspaper he now expects to be sold or loaned to an Italian club. He played for Parma last season.
Mourinho and Mutu's relationship had become strained since the player failed to secure a first team place at Chelsea.
Mutu said Friday that he he was on the brink of hitting Mourinho in a row over his decision to play for Romania against the Czech Republic in their World Cup qualifier last week, a claim the Chelsea coach has denied.
"Maybe he's having nightmares about me," Mourinho told reporters Friday.
Mourinho had claimed that Mutu was suffering from a knee injury that could be seriously affected by playing for his country in the Wolrd Cup qualifier but the forward defied the Chelsea boss and was fined two weeks' wages on his return to England.
10/23/2004 - 12:21 GMT - AFP