20 September 2007, by Lorna Danion

Mourinho and Chelsea part company

Portuguese sensationally ousted after Abramovich meeting

Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho has officially left English Premier League club Chelsea, with conflicting reports suggesting that he either resigned or was sacked by owner Roman Abramovich.

Rumours began to spread late on Wednesday evening that the former Porto boss had quit the Stamford Bridge club, bringing to an end a reign of a little over three years.

A statement from Chelsea confirmed the stories early on Thursday morning:

“Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent.”

Sky Sports News reports that Mourinho held a meeting with Abramovich regarding his future on Wednesday, after which he is believed to have sent text messages to several first team players to inform them of his departure.

According to sources at Sky Sports, Mourinho was removed from his job and told that mistakes in the transfer market, both in terms of players signed and players sold, were key reasons behind the club’s decision.

Mourinho won two Premiership titles, one FA Cup and two League Cups during his spell in England, which also included an unbeaten domestic home record and a record Premiership points total.

It has now emerged that former Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamps, who left Juventus in the summer, could be in line to replace Mourinho.

As for Mourinho himself, job offers certainly won’t be lacking for the man who brought unprecedented success to both FC Porto and Chelsea.