Chelsea have confirmed reports that they've unexpectedly parted company with manager Jose Mourinho (pictured) after a crisis meeting this evening.
Mourinho is reported to have text messaged five senior players this evening to tell them that he is leaving the Blues, who could only draw at home with Rosenborg in their opening Champions League tie on Tuesday.
The set-back followed disappointing results in the Premiership against both Aston Villa and Blackburn, results that had left Mourinho visibly on the edge.
The Portuguese coach was said to have fallen out with owner Roman Abramovich last season, over a disagreement over the lack of funds to sign players during last January's transfer window.
Mourinho's reluctance to play Andriy Shevchenko and the Russian's desire to bring in Grant from Portsmouth to work with the misfiring striker only served to heighten the tension.
The 'Special One' still had three years left on a contract, worth a staggering £6.5m a year, but Abramovich is believed to be prepared pay a huge slice of that in order to end their relationship.
Former Israel coach Avram Grant, recruited in the summer as director of football, is expected to take charge of the side for Sunday's Premier League clash with Manchester United.
As for Mourinho, he will not be short of job offers.
Of the 185 games he was in charge of Chelsea, they won 124, drew 40 and lost 21, a record that includes a 60-match unbeaten run in Premier League matches at Stamford Bridge.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment