Mourihno Leaves Chelsea!

[Smacktalks]

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has stunned the world of football by leaving Stamford Bridge by mutual consent.

The decision comes after the club held a crisis meeting to discuss the indifferent start to the new season.

Mourinho, 44, joined Chelsea in June 2004 and led them to the Premiership title in each of his first two seasons.

But his relationship with Blues owner Roman Abramovich grew increasingly troubled and he quit despite having three years left on his contract.

Former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps has emerged as one of the frontrunners to replace Mourinho, although Russian manager Guus Hiddink is also likely to be a contender.

BBC Radio 5live football correspondent Jonathan Legard understands Mourinho texted senior players, including skipper John Terry, to tell them he was leaving.

Meanwhile, Peter Kenyon, the club's chief executive, Bruce Buck, the chairman, and Abramovich's key aide, Eugene Tenenbaum, were called to an emergency meeting at Stamford Bridge last night to discuss the emerging crisis.

Former Israel coach Avram Grant, recruited in the summer as director of football, is expected to take charge of the side for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.

A statement on the Chelsea website confirmed: "Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent."

Many of Chelsea's staff and players had been enjoying a relaxing evening at a Fulham Broadway cinema last night as they watched a screening of 'Blue Revolution" - a new documentary about the Abramovich years.

But senior players like Terry and Frank Lampard were absent and the remainder, except a reluctant England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, refused to talk to the media.

Mourinho also attended the evening but ignored the waiting media and looked decidedly glum.

Mourinho made a massive impact at Chelsea after joining them from Porto, whom he guided to Champions League glory in 2004.

Last season, the Blues finished runners-up to Manchester United but won both the FA Cup and Carling Cup, a trophy they had also collected in 2005.

Mourinho's achievements also saw him voted as Premiership manager of the year in 2005 and 2006.

However, the Champions League trophy eluded the club and this season's campaign started with Tuesday's shock 1-1 draw at home to Norwegian side Rosenborg in front of a crowd of just 24,973.

It was their third successive game without a win following a 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa and a goalless draw with Blackburn in the Premier League.

Those results have left Chelsea fifth in the table - two points behind leaders Arsenal and with a visit to Manchester United to come on Sunday.

He did have one unique record during his reign in never losing a home league game at Stamford Bridge.

He still had three years left on a contract worth a staggering

[Fozy]

Wow, shit. That's pretty shit.

[Smacktalks]

I have one question, how did Avram Grant get the managers job?

Avram who?

[RingMaster2001]

Former manager of Maccabi Haifa and Israel Manager.

Apparently he plays nice football, will make a change at Chelsea.

Expect Mourinhio to be the next Tottenham manager. And Lampard to leave Chelsea.

[Aero]

nah, jose wont go to another premiership team imo.

also, im curious to see what song the kop sings at chelsea now, we no longer have "fuck off mourihno"

[Subrick]

I'm sorry, but who are these people? Soccor in the U.S. is going over like lead balloon covered in fat people. Which means not at all.

[Aero]

yeah, we guessed. also, football is shit in america because teams like L.A galaxy buy 1 player, spend millions on him in wages each year whilst the rest of the team get paid peanuts and need jobs as well.

also, american comentators and football is the most hilarious mix ever, its completely nonsensical.

[RingMaster2001]

I'm sorry, but who are these people? Soccor in the U.S. is going over like lead balloon covered in fat people. Which means not at all.

Don't post in this fucking topic then.

I don't know one single American Armoured Rugby Player, but I don't go ruining topics about it.

And FOOTBALL, is the biggest sport in the world, just because your country has once again taken decades to catch on (and it is striving to catch up now) doesn't mean it is shit.

God you make me mad. Go and cut yourself you idiot.

[Aero]

their women's team could beat the mens usa team.... i tried watchin the womans world cup, its worse than watching a bunch of shit 10 year olds playing football.

[Subrick]

Second'd. I tried watching it too; I changed the channel after 7 minutes.

[Joe =/]

Are you sure it wasn't 8 minutes, subrick ?

[RingMaster2001]

I timed it at 7 minutes 52 seconds to be honest.