Mateja Kezman: Chelsea will appoint Guus Hiddink as new manager

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

Chelsea parted company with Mourinho on Thursday after two days of crisis board meetings, with Guus Hiddink the front-runner to slot in as interim boss.

Minto, who played for Chelsea between 1994 and 1997, feels Mourinho’s issues off the pitch have been just as influential in his demise as the team’s struggles on it.

“You’re not a big club unless you don’t have contingency plans”, Emenalo told the club website.

“The results are not good”.

Those fans will now be questioning whether “player power” has cost them the services of a manager who, despite his bad time this season, will be a candidate for any of the top jobs that become available in football’s revolving door.

“The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club”.

Mourinho was initially successful, and Fabregas played 34 league games, providing 18 assists as Chelsea won the Premier League title with three games to spare.

“Anyone who loves the club, who has any kind of affiliation to the club, can understand that this club is in trouble, and something needed to be done”.

However, Guus Hiddink is set to take charge of Chelsea on a temporary basis until the end of the season when Roman Abramovich will move for a permanent boss. That changed in his first full season at Porto, winning the league, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Cup in 2003.

The personal conduct of the style-styled “Special One” was also proving damaging to Chelsea, with Mourinho engaging in public spats with referees, a television rights holder and even the club’s doctor over the past year. They are now level on points with Barcelona at the top of the table.

“That’s what they have to do, that’s what they were supposed to do, and I believe that’s what they’ve been trying to do”. Chelsea is engaged in an ongoing legal battle with Dr. Eva Carneiro after she was publicly criticized and then demoted following Mourinho’s opening-day outburst.

Updated fact file on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho after his sacking by Chelsea. “His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge”.

“The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential”, Chelsea said.

Chelsea cancelled their regular weekly press conference that was scheduled for Friday afternoon in the wake of Mourinho’s departure. And yet, it’s still somehow surprising that they finally pulled the plug.

“It is incredible that this team were champions last season and are now fighting for dear life in the Premier League”.

After the match, Mourinho said he was “betrayed” by his players.