Stunned at today’s announcement from Stamford Bridge that Chelsea have fired the Special One, less than seven months since he led them to the title last season.
Chelsea’s loss to Leicester on Monday was apparently the final straw for Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s ninth defeat of the season, leaving them in 16th place, just a point above the relegation places.
Former Blues boss Guus Hiddink will be the club’s interim manager until the end of the season, and could even take charge of the Blues relegation six pointer with Sunderland this weekend.
The official Chelsea statement read:
‘Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent,’ the statement read.
‘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.’
This is not the first time that Hiddink has played the caretaker role ar Chelsea. He took over from Luiz Felipe Scolari in February 2009 where he lost only once in the Premier League, took the side to the semi-finals of the European Cup – where they were a matter of minutes from beating eventual winners Barcelona – and won the FA Cup, beating Everton in the final.
Abramovich and Chelsea fans must be hoping that history repeats itself with Hiddink. But then we saw when Mourinho returned for a second time at Stamford Bridge that things are sometimes not better a second time around.
