Chelsea have sacked manager Jose Mourinho seven months after he led them to the Premier League title.
The 52-year-old Portuguese had been in his second spell at the club taking charge in June 2013
Chelsea finished eight points clear last season and won the League Cup, but have lost nine of their 16 league games so far and are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places.
Mourinho’s final match was Monday’s 2-1 defeat at leaders Leicester City.
Pep Guardiola, Guus Hiddink, Brendan Rodgers and Juande Ramos have all been touted as possible successors as Blues owner Roman Abramovich begins another managerial search.
Mourinho in the Premier League |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Managed | Won | Drew | Lost | Win % |
| 2004-05 | 38 | 29 | 8 | 1 | 76.32 |
| 2005-06 | 38 | 29 | 4 | 5 | 76.32 |
| 2006-07 | 38 | 24 | 11 | 3 | 63.16 |
| 2007-08 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 50 |
| 2013-14 | 38 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 65.79 |
| 2014-15 | 38 | 26 | 9 | 3 | 68.42 |
| 2015-16 | 16 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 25 |
Chelsea statement
“Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent.
“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.
“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.
“The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.
“There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.”
Reaction to sacking
BBC Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer said he was “shocked” by Mourinho’s departure but admitted Chelsea’s form had been dreadful.
“I’ve never known a capitulation like it from a football club,” the former England captain told BBC Radio 5 live.
“I have never known players to perform like they did last season and then be so bad now. It’s unprecedented.”
Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce was also surprised.
“I’m shocked to say the least,” he said. “They must already have somebody lined up to have done it now.”
Allardyce added: “I’m sad to see Jose go because I got to know him quite well and he’s a great manager with great character. He’s a loss to the Premier League.”
Ex-Blues defender Graham Roberts told BBC Radio 5 live: “He came in and said he was the ‘Special One’. He’s not the ‘Special One’ no more.”
Mourinho’s legacy
He leaves with Chelsea just a point off the relegation zone and 20 points behind Leicester.
Champions League qualification via one of the top four spots in the Premier League looks highly unlikely.
However, the Blues are through to the last 16 of European football’s biggest club competition, where they will face French champions Paris St-Germain in February and March.
Mourinho only signed a new four-year contract on 7 August and is Chelsea’s most successful manager.
He won three Premier League titles, two of those in his first spell between 2004 and 2007.
The Portuguese has also won the FA Cup, in 2007, and the League Cup three times – in 2005, 2007 and 2015.