Possible reasons for Mourinho’s departure from Chelsea

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20th, September 2007

5 Comments

76892365.jpg“Chelsea Football Club and José Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent” There it is. Chelsea official statement on the departure of their talismanic manager José Mourinho. Get the feeling it took them by surprise as much as it did to us? Normally, a football club wheels out the slickest PR machine to give a lengthy statement wishing everyone the best of luck and all that. 16 words for someone who landed 2 Premier League titles, 2 League Cups, an FA Cup, a Charity Shield and decent runs in the Champions League.
In his time at Chelsea, he steered his side to an English record for unbeaten league matches at home. 64 consecutive matches without defeat. He is, by far, Chelsea’s most successful manager. So why the sudden departure?


It’s clear to me that Mourinho is an impulsive man who will not be pushed. At the start of 2006 Mourinho said that he intended to leave Chelsea at the end of the 2006-7 season. He blamed this on his disappointment with the team’s performance and a power struggle with Frank Arnesen. More recently, he stated that there would only be two ways for him to leave Chelsea: if Chelsea do not offer him a new contract in June 2010, and if Chelsea sacks him.
It seems odd to think that this scenario is down to mere contract negotiations, so it all points to a power struggle. The signing of Andriy Shevchenko has left many speculating that Roman Abramovich was taking away some of Mourinho’s power and influence on his starting line-up. With the Ukrainian costing a massive £31m, transfer funds have been lacking. This has left the Portugese manager and his chairman at loggerheads. Mourinho’s reluctance to play Shevchenko and the Russian billionaire’s desire to bring in Grant from Portsmouth to work with the misfiring striker only served to heighten the tension. It seems, no-one picks Mourinho’s team.
I’m sure we’ll see a glowing tribute to The Special One later today. For now, mystery surrounds this news which will leave us all wondering whether he walked or whether he was unceremoniously shoved because he refused to tow the line. No matter what the reasons are, it will be very interesting to see if Chelsea can still provide a serious challenge for the title now Mourinho has gone.

Posted in Chelsea, Transfers & Rumours

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5 Comments

  1. dan says:

    can’t see, picture’s in the way

  2. Derek says:

    What exactly about Mourinho was so special? The fact that he took a team on the precipice of great success (brought about by his predecessor) to the title? Or was it the fact that he won two titles in a row after having imported a quarter billion pounds worth of hired guns?
    I’m no Chelsea hater–in fact, there was a time when the likes of Zola graced the field and Blues fans had every right to be proud of their team. Under Ranieri and stretching way further back in their history, they conducted themselves with class.
    Unfortunately, all that disappeared under Mourinho with his patented brand of articulate trash talk and the introduction of the Stamford Bridge Diving Team.

  3. Kate says:

    Mourinho is the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history. I reckon dark times may come to Chelsea, because The Special One is unique, no other manager would ever fit in his boots. I just hope that Abramovich or whoever argued with Mou realize how much Chelsea will need him on this season.
    “He will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, whether as the guest of Chelsea or as the manager of another club, and he will be given the reception and respect his position in our history deserves.” Bullshit, bunch of moron.

  4. mof gimmers says:

    I think the key here is that Mourinho won things. Ranieri, affable as he was, had a lot of money to play with but simply couldn’t make his mark. Of course, Jose is a gobshite… but he’s a bloody good manager.
    Mof Gimmers
    [Pies Inside Right]

  5. FREYA says:

    It may seem Jose left because of the rift between him and Abramovitch but a “special source” revealed it was, in fact, a serious health problem that forced him to quit, only he won’t say it because he’s extremely proud and doesn’t want people to perceive him as weak.
    A rumour? Maybe. It would be better if he had just called a press conference and made a brief statement to clarify things but, Jose being Jose, revels in the mayhem he’s caused both fans and players.
    I wasn’t a fan of “the special one” but I’d be lying if I said I won’t miss him and his antics on Saturdays.