BREAKING NEWS: Jose Mourinho leaves Chelsea post
Published:
Holly Thackeray | December 17, 2015
Jose Mourinho and Chelsea part ways
Premier League champions Chelsea, currently hanging one point above the drop zone, have parted company with manager Jose Mourinho by mutual consent.
Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent. https://t.co/YYJaxxdE36
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 17, 2015
An official statement on Chelsea’s website confirmed Mourinho has left the club, stating: “All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.
“His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history.
“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,” continued the club.
“The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea. His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge.”
Despite beginning the season with plans to defend their league title, the campaign has so far not panned out as expected, with the Blues struggling in 16th position.
This is the second time ‘The Special One’ has parted ways with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, after his first stint at Stamford Bridge came to an abrupt end in 2007, despite winning two Premier League titles and an FA Cup in his initial three seasons with the capital club.
Mourinho returned to his former post in 2013 after jobs at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, and claimed another league title in 2014/15, though this season his Blues side have seriously underwhelmed. Chelsea have lost 9 of their 16 Premier League games so far, winning just four, though they have qualified for the latter stages of the Champions League.
Hiddink favourite to take over
Former Tottenham coach Juande Ramos was said to be in London for talks to take over as interim manager. Although, apparently in the frame for the job are former Blues bosses in Guus Hiddink (now heavy odds-on favourite at 1/3 with Coral to be next permanent manager) and Carlo Ancelotti (10/1), plus Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola (8/1) and ex-Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers (33/1). Customers can find these odds and more on our special page for next permanent Blues manager.
Below, see Coral’s odds for who could be the next permanent Chelsea manager:
Next permanent Chelsea manager odds:
Juande Ramos 10/3
Guardiola 5/1
Ancelotti 7/1
Hiddink 7/1
Capello 10/1
Rodgers 33/1
Moyes 33/1
— Coral (@Coral) December 17, 2015
Key players such as Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have looked like shadows of their former selves, and Chelsea’s last defeat to surprise Premier League leaders Leicester City appears to have been the final straw for Mourinho’s ill-fated second tenure.
Although, despite recent dismal form, Mourinho still boasts the best win percentage of coach’s to manage over 100 Premier League games.
Jose Mourinho has the best win percentage in the Premier League era of the managers who have managed over 100+ games. #cfc [Opta]
— TweetChelseaFC (@TweetChelseaFC) December 17, 2015
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