TheCable

Jose Mourinho has been relieved of his duty as the coach of Chelsea Football Club.

The club announced the decision on Thursday at the end of a board meeting.

This is not the first time that the Portuguese manager would be leaving Stamford Bridge on an abrupt note.

In September 2007, Mourinho left after a disagreement between him and Rowan Abrahimovich, owner of the club.

The 52-year-old has led Chelsea to three premier league victories and five other trophies.

Mourinho has had a rather turbulent season, with his defence of the premier league title being the worst in his coaching career.

He was dubbed the special one after his first press conference in England, where he said “please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion and I think I’m a special one”.

In 2015, the special one, who later changed his name to the only one, has only been able to aggregate 15 points from 16 matches – the worst title defence in premier league history.

Prior to his sack, Mourinho had seen Chelsea to the last 16 of UEFA Champions’ League, but lost to Leicester at the weekend in the premier league.

Leicester, at the top of the premier league, currently leads Mourinho’s Chelsea with 20 points, as the team is just a point above the relegation zone.

“I want to make it clear, I won’t run away and if the club want to sack…if the club sack me, they sack the best manager the club has ever had,” Mourinho said in October.

In a statement announcing Mourinho’s departure, Chelsea said it was best to “ensure its talented squad reaches its potential”.

“Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent. All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013,” the statement read.

“His three league titles, FA Cup, community shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history.

“But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.

“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.

“His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge. The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.

Pep Guardiola, former Barcelona coach; Guus Hiddink, former Chelsea caretaker coach; ex Liverpool  FC manager, Brendan Rodgers and Juande Ramos whose contract with Russian side, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk has expired,  have been tipped as Mourinho’s replacement.

Mourinho was appointed manager in 2013, having managed the team from 2004 to 2007.