Chelsea’s former head coach José Mourinho waves at fans as he talks with players and his coaching staff. AP PHOTO/MATT DUNHAM
BY ROB HARRIS
The Associated Press
LONDON – José Mourinho’s “palpable discord” with Chelsea players forced the club to abruptly end his second spell as manager on Thursday with the team languishing just above the relegation zone only seven months after winning the Premier League.
Mourinho’s departure came 2 1/2 years after his return to Stamford Bridge and only four months into a new four-year contract signed after winning his third league title with Chelsea.
Despite a succession of humiliating results, the 52-year-old coach had been defiantly insisting he was the right man to oversee the team.
But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich decided he could not risk keeping the fans’ favorite in the dugout as the midway point of the season approaches with Chelsea only a point above the relegation zone.
“It was a decision taken to protect the interests of the club,” Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo said. “Whilst there is huge sentiment for the individual who has done so much for the club, the fact of the matter remains that Chelsea Football Club is in trouble.
“The results are not good. There obviously seemed to be a palpable discord between manager and players. And we feel it was time to act. The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club.”
The worst-ever start for a defending champion team in the Premier League was compounded on Monday by a 2-1 loss at surprise leader Leicester. After the match, Mourinho said he was “betrayed” by his players — exposing a dressing room rift.
“This is essentially the same group of players who won the league and the League Cup last season. They did in style and they did it by showing commitment and by sweating tears and blood for the club when needed,” Emenalo said in a Chelsea website interview.
“The players have a responsibility to go out and prove everybody wrong and show a certain level of commitment … to try to get the club up the league table.”
The personal conduct of the self-styled “Special One” was also proving damaging to Chelsea, with Mourinho engaging in public spats with referees, a television rights holder and even the club’s doctor over the last year. Chelsea is engaged in an ongoing legal battle with Dr. Eva Carneiro after she was publicly criticized and then demoted following Mourinho’s opening-day outburst.
Now it is Mourinho leaving Chelsea, with Russian billionaire Abramovich preparing for his 10th managerial appointment since buying the team in 2003.
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