Mourinho gets the boot

'Palpable discord' with players led to manager's firing

Jose Mourinho's tumultuous second spell as Chelsea manager was ended "by mutual consent" on Thursday, with the club saying that squad disharmony was a significant factor.

Chelsea's disastrous start to the season prompted owner Roman Abramovich to press the ejector button, with the club saying it was "in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways".

Nine losses in 16 games have seen the reigning Premier League champion slither to within a point of the relegation zone and technical director Michael Emenalo said that Chelsea had no choice but to act.

"While there is huge sentiment for the individual who has done so much for the club, the facts of the matter remain that Chelsea Football Club is in trouble," Emenalo told Chelsea TV.

"The results are not good. There obviously seems to be a palpable discord between manager and players. We feel it was time to act."

Chelsea said that Mourinho, 52, had left "on good terms," two years after returning to the club following spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

He was pictured on Sky Sports News being driven out of Chelsea's training ground in a black car, with his hood pulled down over his face.

The outspoken Portuguese is reported to have been informed of his fate in a meeting with club officials on Thursday afternoon, following two days of talks.

"His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history," the club said in a statement.

"But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways."

Hiddink touted

Chelsea said that Mourinho "will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea" and "will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge."

He was previously fired by Abramovich in 2007 and his departure on Thursday came just seven months after he led Chelsea to a league and League Cup double.

Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, 69, has been cited as the front-runner to take over on a short-term basis, having previously done so in 2009.

Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and Italy coach Antonio Conte are reported to be possible long-term successors, along with longstanding target Pep Guardiola, the Bayern Munich coach, and ex-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"The club is working vigorously and actively to make sure the situation with regards to a managerial appointment is taken care of as soon as possible," Emenalo said.

Chelsea called off Friday's scheduled media conference, when Mourinho was due to speak ahead of Saturday's home game with Sunderland.

In his final interview as Chelsea manager, filmed for BT Sport before his departure was announced, Mourinho said the team's travails had been a useful experience.

"As a process, this is an amazing learning process," he said. "This period was important for me. I'm better than I thought."

In what proved to be his last game, Chelsea was beaten 2-1 at Leicester City on Monday - a club managed by Claudio Ranieri, who Mourinho replaced at Stamford Bridge when he arrived from Porto in 2004.

Mourinho lambasted his players afterwards, saying: "I feel like my work was betrayed."

Mourinho also said Chelsea could no longer achieve the top-four finish necessary to qualify for next season's Champions League. It currently trails fourth-place Manchester United by 14 points.

Cesc Fabregas was the first Chelsea player to pay tribute to Mourinho, tweeting: "Thank you for all you have done for me. I owe you a lot and we will all miss you.

"Good luck in the future and I know you will be back soon."

With Chelsea having swept to the title by eight points last season, its collapse has baffled pundits.

As well as floundering in the league, it was knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by Stoke City, although it has reached the Champions League last 16, where it will face Paris Saint-Germain.

Things went awry from the start, with Chelsea losing to Arsenal in the Community Shield and then drawing 2-2 at home to Swansea City on the season's opening day.

That game was overshadowed by Mourinho's criticism of his medical staff for running on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard, which left his team down to nine men.

Team doctor Eva Carneiro left the club in September and is now seeking a claim for constructive dismissal.

Chelsea then lost 3-0 at Manchester City and has also dropped games to Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton, West Ham United, Liverpool, Stoke and promoted side Bournemouth.

(China Daily 12/19/2015 page12)