Chelsea officials turned up at Cobham unannounced to sack Jose Mourinho
JOSE MOURINHO was sacked by Chelsea as he was still digesting his club Christmas lunch.
But technical director Michael Emenalo explained they could no longer stomach the Special One.
Emenalo said: "This was a decision to protect the interests of the club.
"The results are not good. There obviously seems to be a palpable discord between the manager and players and we feel it was time to act."
Mourinho's second coming at Stamford Bridge ended dramatically as chairman Bruce Buck and director Eugene Tenenbaum turned up unannounced at the club's Cobham headquarters to dismiss him.
Mourinho was left stunned by the rapid turn of events and Chelsea were last night ready to install Guus Hiddink as his short-term successor.
Jose Mourinho's downfall: Key moments in Special One's demise
Roman Abramovich made what sources say was "the most difficult decision of his professional life" when he finally wielded the axe after Monday's embarrassing defeat at table-toppers Leicester had left the champions in 16th place.
But the back to back league defeats to Bournemouth and Claudio Ranieri's side proved the final straw with Mourinho getting an £18m pay-out, representing two years' salary.
Abramovich recognised the relationship between the Portuguese and his squad was on the point of fragmenting irretrievably.
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Guus Hiddink is expected to take over from Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge BELGA
Emanalo added: "The owner was forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club.
"Make no mistake about it, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League and that is not good enough. This club is in trouble and something needed to be done.
"People need to remember that essentially this is the same group of players who won the League and the League Cup last season, doing it in style and by showing commitment and by sweating tears and blood for the club.
"It was by instruction and they adhered to everything the manager asked them to do.
Now the players have a responsibility to go out and prove everyone wrong, show a level of commitment to the decision that has been made and try to get the club up the league table. That's what they have to do."
Mourinho, had no inkling the end was nigh as he put his players through their paces at training before sitting down for the festive feast in the Cobham canteen.
But soon after the meal was over, with the majority of his squad leaving for home, he became aware of the arrival of Abramovich's two key lieutenants.
They went into Mourinho's office to put him out of his misery it what was a difficult but brief exchange.
Mourinho said his goodbyes and informed his backroom staff – the Portuguese contingent including Rui Faria left in the wake of the manager's departure – before clearing his office.
Credit: The Sun Uk
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