Mourinho won't fail at Chelsea, he's a great manager, says Barca superstar Messi

Lionel Messi believes old foe Jose Mourinho will be a roaring success at Chelsea, and described the Portuguese coach as a ‘great manager’.
Mourinho returned for a second spell at Chelsea after ending his tenure at Real Madrid at the end of last season. 
The former Porto and Inter Milan coach was a divisive figure in Spain, and didn’t curry much favour with Barcelona after a tumultuous spell in Madrid.

Man in the middle: Lionel Messi was in Senegal visiting the Aspire Academy in Senegal

Warm welcome: Messi was there to support the 'Football Combating Malaria' project in the African country

As well as poking then assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye during a Clasico match in 2011, Mourinho riled La Liga champions on a number of occasions with his off-pitch conduct and press-conference mind games.
Mourinho’s conduct led to Barca playmaker Andres Iniesta claiming that he had done ‘more harm than good’ to Spanish football during his time in the capital. 
But Messi spoke kindly of the man who once implied Barcelona were over-dependent on him, and is adamant new Real manager Carlo Ancelotti will mount a serious title challenge next season.

Success: Mourinho replaces Rafa Benitez at Chelsea for his second spell at the club

New in town: Carlo Ancelotti (centre) was appointed as Mourinho's replacement in Madrid

‘I think the Spanish league is difficult anyway and will continue being difficult,' said Messi while at the Aspire Academy in Senegal. ‘We'll be fighting against strong teams with great players like Real Madrid.
‘Mourinho was a great coach but we know that Ancelotti is equally great. I think Mourinho will also succeed back at Chelsea because he's a great manager.’

Ouch: Mourinho poked Tito Vilanova (right) in the eye during a Clasico game in 2011