Mourinho’s exit: Chelsea shifts attention to players

The former Real Madrid manager led the Blues to premier league title and capital one cup last season, but his unfortunate performance has led the club’s management wield the rod on him.

Chelsea parted company with Mourinho by “mutual consent” on Thursday after a “palpable discord with the players”.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was sacked to “protect the interests of the club” and owner Roman Abramovich had to act because of a “palpable discord between manager and players”, technical director Michael Emenalo said.

Still, they also said that Mourinho was leaving the team on good terms and would always be someone that they loved and respected. “His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back”, read a statement on Chelsea‘s website.

The Blues have lost nine of their 16 Premier League matches so far, and Hiddink was quickly installed as the favourite to take over, ahead of Juande Ramos and Pep Guardiola.

Chelsea are 16th in the Premier League and one point above the relegation zone after 16 games.

Mourinho maintained his side had turned the corner in recent weeks, particularly in the Champions League where they progressed to the knock-out stage as the winners of their group.

Manuel Pellegrini has declared that the Premier League will miss his rival Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese was sacked by Chelsea.

Dutchman Guus Hiddink is the bookmakers’ favorite to take over as interim manager, having done so successfully in 2009 when Chelsea fired Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari.

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

Chelsea made worldwide headlines Thursday by dumping manager Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho has found success everywhere over the last dozen years, winning the Champions League with both Porto in 2004 and with Inter Milan in 2010.

When Mourinho arrived at Stamford Bridge the first time, he memorably dubbed himself “The Special One”.

Few could have foreseen Chelsea’s decline this season, especially as Mourinho was rewarded with a new four-year contract in August.

“My players got all that information, you can ask them, they are honest guys who will tell you it is true”.

“The very best I have ever worked with”.

“He won the league past year, so you can’t say that it didn’t work out for him”, Howe said.

He quickly won the hearts of the club’s fans who pleaded with Abramovich to sign him on a permanent deal during their final home league game that season, a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.