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| Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea this afternoon |
JOSE MOURINHO was sacked for losing the dressing room as technical director Michael Emenalo completely exonerated the players for the miserable start to the season.
Chelsea are now in discussions to bring in an interim replacement, with Guus Hiddink the bookies’ overwhelming favourite to take on a role he first performed in 2009.
But the decision to sack last season’s title-winning manager just four months after he was given a new contract has angered supporters – despite Emenalo’s claims that owner Roman Abramovich had no choice.
“Anybody, any fan, can understand that this club is in trouble and something had to be done,” said Emenalo.
“The contract clearly signifies that what happened today was not a pre-meditated decision, it was a decision taken to protect the interests of the club.
“While there has been huge sentiment for the individual, the fact of the matter remains that Chelsea Football Club is in trouble. The results have not been good.
"There obviously seems to be some palpable discord between the manager and the players.
“The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club. Make no mistake about it.
"Chelsea Football Club, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is one point above relegation and that is not good enough.”
Mourinho sealed his fate when by accusing players of “betraying” him after the 2-1 defeat at Leicester.
Ultimately, Abramovich made it clear he could not tolerate a manager at odds with the dressing room and player power held sway over Mourinho.
“People [who blame the players] have to remember that this essentially the same group of players who won the League and the League Cup last season and they did it in style and they did it by showing commitment and by sweat and blood and tears for the club when needed,” said Emenalo.
“They played to instruction and they did everything their manager asked them to do. So I think it is very easy to make that kind of inference but it is not one that the club accepts.
“Obviously we know now the players have a responsibility to go out and prove everybody wrong and show a certain level of commitment to the decision that has been made tonight.”
Emenalo also openly admitted that the club had been making contingency plans for Mourinho’s departure and if Hiddink or whoever cannot be brought in for tomorrow’s game against Sunderland, Steve Holland is expected to take charge.
“You are not a big club if you don’t have contingency plans for situations like this,” said Emenalo.
“We have quality coaches embedded within the club and I think we will be OK for Saturday.
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| Mourinho was seen leaving Cobham this afternoon |
“And make no mistake about it. The club is working vigorously and actively to make sure that the situation with regards to a managerial appointment is taken care of as soon as possible.”
The tone of the interview was strident compared to the gloss the club initially tried to give the decision when it was formally announced yesterday afternoon.
“Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent,” a statement claimed.
“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.”
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