17 Dec 2015

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho sacked

José Mourinho is fired as manager of Chelsea after the clubs worst start to a season in almost 40 years.

Jose Mourinho (Reuters)

“The Special One”, as the pugnacious coach is known, leaves the west London side for a second time, just seven months after winning the league.

He becomes the eighth manager to be sacked by the club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

In a statement, the club said: “Chelsea Football Club and José Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent. All at Chelsea thank José for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.

“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.”

Chelsea lost their last match against league leaders Leicester on Monday night, leaving them languishing in 16th place. They’ve picked up just 15 points from a possible 48.

While domestic form has been uncharacteristically poor, the team progressed through the Champions League group stages reaching the last 16 of the tournament.

Possible replacements include Pep Guardiola, Jaunde Ramos and Guus Hiddink – the latter, who has previously managed Chelsea, is considered to the favourite.

Eva Carneiro with Mourinho before she left the club (Reuters)

It had been the Portuguese’s second time in charge of the club. In his two spells he has won three league titles, one FA cup and three League Cups.

The 52-year-old is one of the most successful managers in the world having won league titles in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and England.

Off the field troubles plagued the defending champions’ start to the season after Mourinho publicly criticised first-team doctor Eva Carneiro (pictured above) for running on to the pitch to treat a player late on in a game when the team were searching for a winner against Swansea.

Carneiro left the club and is pursuing a case for constructive dismissal in the courts.