Arsenal legend Martin Keown: This is why Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was sacked

Martin Keown believes Mourinho lost the trust of his players

 

MARTIN KEOWN has blamed the relationship between the players and the manager for Jose Mourinho's sacking.

 

The Portuguese boss today left Chelsea 'by mutual consent' after a disastrous start to the Blues' title defence.

But Keown, who won three Premier League titles with Arsenal, believes trust was at the root of Mourinho's problems inside the dressing room.

"It has imploded in front of our eyes," Keown told the BBC.

 

"It is astonishing. I saw players who were not giving everything.

"He has lost the players. There is no trust there, respect is gone. 

"Ultimately it is easier to change a manager than 22 players."

 

Mourinho is well-known for his super-confident style and regular fallouts with the FA, referees, opposition managers, and even players.

However, in his second spell at Chelsea, Mourinho has had several very public spats with key players, including last year's top-scorer Diego Costa and PFA Player of the Year Eden Hazard.

And in recent weeks Mourinho has become less and less willing to hide his feelings as the dressing room quickly slipped away from him.

"This has been an accident waiting to happen,” Keown added.

 

“Mourinho talked about betrayal this weekend. 

"Go back to October and he was talking about rats within the camp. 

"There have been big problems right from the start of the season.

“I take you back to the Community Shield. What about his reaction to a non-handshake from Arsene Wenger. He then threw his medal."