Jose Mourinho has ended his three-year reign as Chelsea manager
following his latest bust up with owner Roman Abramovich, according
to reports.
Abramovich called crisis talks following Tuesday night's
disappointing 1-1 draw with Norwegian minnows Rosenborg in the
Champions League where the fractious duo had furious falling
out.
Mourinho is believed to have informed senior players of his
departure following training on Wednesday. One of those players
insists that the manager has not resigned but has been sacked by
the Blues.
During the launch of a new Chelsea documentary - Blue Revolution -
at the Vue cinema in Fulham on Thursday night an emotional Mourinho
refused to talk to the press unaware the story had been leaked. He
is understood to have confirmed his departure to the players in
attendance, which did not include Frank Lampard and John
Terry.
Mourinho's rocky relationship with Abramovich is public knowledge
and despite an apparent thaw in relations last season the duo were
again at odds over the role of £30million striker Andrei Shevchenko
and the Blues' dour style of football even before Tuesday's result
brought events to a head.
The Portuguese manager, who has won the Champions League with Porto
and two Premier League titles as Chelsea manager, was the subject
of continual scrutiny last season and hinted at an exit last summer
when he admitted he 'was a bit fed up with certain things' at the
club.
Many betting companies have stopped taking odds on Mourinho
quitting Chelsea, but the club have yet to confirm the
reports.
After three-years at the London club the self-styled 'Special One'
is expected to take training for the final time on Thursday, when
he will say good bye to his players.
Chelsea's next match is against Premier League champions Manchester
United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
