Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Chelsea have sacked Jose Mourinho as manager, following a catastrophic domestic campaign, as Roman Abramovich had enough with the Portuguese, just seven months after the ‘Special One’ guided the Blues to the Premier League title. The 2-1 loss at Leicester, after which Mourinho claimed his players ‘betrayed’ him, proved to be the final nail in the coffin, as Chelsea are only a point above the relegation spots. Guus Hiddink will take over as interim manager, his second short spell at the club, having managed the Londoners for a few months in the 2009-10 season, where he led Chelsea to the semifinal of the Champions League and FA Cup glory.
Mourinho has never completed more than three seasons at a club and having conceded that his side would not finish in the top four this season, the former-Porto boss was promptly shown the door by club owner Roman Abramovich.
“Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent,” said a club statement.
“All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.
“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.
“There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.”
Clive Brunskill
After guiding Chelsea to a domestic double of the Premier League and Capital One Cup, one would say things started to go downhill this summer, especially after the delayed pre-season and rather unceremonious departure of club legend Petr Cech, along with the Community Shield loss against Arsenal. A much publicized falling-out and subsequent sacking of club doctor Eva Carneiro followed by a 3-0 thumping at the hands of Manchester City did Mourinho no favors. After a 3-1 loss at home against Southampton, Mourinho went on a seven-minute rant on how referees were ‘afraid’ of giving decisions in Chelsea’s favor and was slapped with a one-match stadium and £50,000 fine by the FA, following his tirade. Although he called his punishment a ‘disgrace’ Mourinho escaped with the accusation but was at it again when he branded referee Damir Skomina as ‘weak and naïve’ following a goalless draw against Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League.
After being sent to the stands in a loss at West Ham, Jose Mourinho watches his team crash out of the Capital One Cup on penalties to Stoke City, before losing 3-1 at home to Liverpool, after which Mourinho bizarrely answered every question asked in the post-match interview with – “I have nothing to say.” The former Real Madrid boss was handed another stadium ban, this time with a £40,000 fine for his antics at West Ham and saw his side slip up yet again in the league at Stoke. An embarrassing 1-0 defeat at home to newly-promoted Bournemouth ensured that the pressure on Mourinho was higher than ever, despite having sealed qualification to the Champions League knockout stages. On 14th December, the reigning champions visited current table toppers Leicester and goals from Jamie Vardy and Riyadh Mahrez condemned the Blues to their 9th defeat of the season.
But in all fairness, Jose Mourinho is not the only one to blame, as several first-team players have not been up to the mark this season. Eden Hazard, PFA Player of the Year last season, has suffered such an incredible from grace, that it’s absurd. The Belgian scored an impressive 21 goals last season but with almost half the season gone, the winger has notched only two assists this term, along with a grand total of zero goals. Nemanja Matic and Branislav Ivanovic, two often overlooked mainstays in the Chelsea team, have struggled with form all season, while Cesc Fabregas looks like a shadow of the player he was last season. Diego Costa, has seemingly lost direction and has been busy bullying defenders rather than scoring goals.
Guus Hiddink has a herculean task ahead of him if he wants to see his side qualify for Europe and although a place in the top-four is highly unlikely, a top-six finish seems a more realistic target.
Meanwhile, the Champions League Round of 16 draws were announced in Nyon and are as follows –
KAA Gent vs VfL Wolfsburg
AS Roma vs Real Madrid
Paris St Germain vs Chelsea
Arsenal vs Barcelona
Juventus vs Bayern Munich
PSV Eindhoven vs Atletico Madrid
SL Benfica vs Zenit St Petersburg
Dynamo Kyiv vs Manchester City
Tags: Chelsea Jose Mourinho Roman Abramovich
