Sentimaental jayza.The truth will set you free.I am not a chelsea fan however let the truth be told ,he is already been missed and will even be more missed by the end of the season when chelsea wuld have hit rock bottom.

nwobu nnamdi, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

The coming of mourinho to premiership no doubt brought glamour to english football. He came in 2004 from porto describing himself as the special one, (of course He was and He is still) to chelsea that has won nothing other than carling cup and fa cup to dominate the league. What chelsea couldn't achieve in fourty nine years He did for chelsea in style back to back , jose no doubt is a great coach. Chelsea has lost a character, one of the best coach in the world.
Chelsea shouldn't bother looking for His replacement as abrahamovich can continue (as coach) from were He stopped.

godwin, lagos, nigeria

our father, the Roman Abraham should use the wisdom he had used in the past to fetch us another "wonder of the world" like mourinho, cos we, chelsea fans around the world,believe so much in HIM.
CHELSEA 4 LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

U,

Greg and Zimy,, BENIN , NIGERIA

we love u mourinho and still believe in you where you lead we shall follow

Adeyemi Duro, Offa , kwara Nigeria

Jose needs a club that will give him the respect he deserves . A truly great manager .

F Doyle, New Ross, Ireland

ur stil the best!!!!!!!!!!

tsimroro, fogoty, jamaica

When Mourinho arrived at Chelsea, having won the Champions League with mino's Porto he was, arguably,the best manager in Europe. The only question mark was whether he could do as well in the Premiership dominated by Ferguson and Wenger. Back2back titles, FA+Carling Cup, Charity Shield. Legendary Manager!
Had he been given full support from Chairman and fans there is no end to what he might have achieved, don't leave early because your team looks like loosing and expect your manager to fight on alone. Feel sorry for players like John Terry and the true Chelsea fans. John Terry is one of many players on that Chelsea team who was nothing special until Mourinho arrived, now England Captain!
He was as good as he said so his arrogance is over rated, he had pride and passion, as did his team. Tactically he was fantastic not only did he know how to win but also how not to get beat. His records speak for themselves.
Mourinho: A Great Manager and a Great Character, Good Luck Special One YNWA

Rory Slevin, Liverpool, Liverpool

The people I have always felt most sorry for are those Russian men and women in the street who missed out on their share of the privatisation monies because Abramovich and the other oligarchs were too clever for them. If I had been a Chelsea supporter at the time, that would have caused me to transfer my affections elsewhere.

It's Abramovich who should go. Let's hope that Putin or his successor demands that the money goes back to Russia. Or else!

David, Poole,

Re: Bob, London ,

"As for no-one turning up - there is rugby world cup on which frankly provides far better entertainment then a group game of football."

This is a football thread, please keep your myopic ramblings about tedious rugby to yourself.

A smith, Birmingham,

Long live Mourinho. You don't play beautiful football out of nothing. From a zero team, you build first to a discipline, tactical team. And only from there, would you have a shot at a beautiful team. Unless of course we are talking Brazilians. Mourinho could have done it all at Chelsea.

Hafiz, Serangoon, Singapore

Great manager, great personality ; a loss for the Premier League

John Riach, Birkenfeld, Germany

Rafa Benitez won in his war of words with Mourinho. The last statement he made was "Abramovich has done a good job at Chelsea" and lets face it he has, any manager with the money Jose had could have done the same. He still didn't win the Europeon Cup with Chelsea and that is why he has been shown the door. Goodbye Mourinho, Goodbye Mourinho. Come on you Chelsea fans join in you know the tune!!!!

Tony Bleasdale, Liverpool,

Wether you like it or not Jose achieved greatness without Abrahamovic's money. he challenged the Premiership in his first year with few big names. Play the semi finals of champions league two times in 3years. Undue inteference with Jose's job caused distruptions. What was the need to buy Shevchenko and the pressure to make him play at all cost. Abrahamovic,you have murdered Chelsea and this is painful to us in Africa, most especially Nigeria. chelsea is going to lose many fans. Whenever and wherever the premiership is discussed it said be said that Jose is anchiever who rattled the conservate English press by dislodging Fergusson and Wenger. Wherever he goes we are going to follow him, The Special One, Jose Mourinho. WE LOVE YOU.

wale akinremi, Ibadan, Oyo State Nigeria

Well, Roman just handed the League Title and probably the FA Cup over to Man U (without Henry, Arsenal's done). Thanks. >:-< If he wanted to win so badly, he should have let the "Special One" (is it arrogance when you've proven it?) deliver his magic without interference.

Late last night, I was shocked, hoping it was just a bad insomniac's dream. But, now, as a Chelsea Girl, I'm in mourning for Mourinho.

Thanks and best wishes, José! You certainly deserve better.

Karin Edwards, London,

Jose is certainly a good manager (but not great), but his time at Chelsea only proved that an unlimited supply of money will gaurantee domestic success, but not European success. Once the funds started to dry up in January, so too did the results.
Abramovitch simply wants a manager who will bring flair to a team he has spent a large amount of his personal fortune on.

Damian, Glasgow,

so the best manager in england in the last 3 years has now left chelsea,but what a record he takes with him when he decides to look for work 7 tropheys in 6 years at 2 clubs but we can see from the comments on this and other sights that he was not wanted in english football was this because he had a brain of his own and did not do as all the other drones do play lap dog to fergi

seamus, dublin, ireland

Who cares. Its "Monkey Tennis" anyway.

Ben Stone, London, UK

Already sent relief money to Africa. How about this scenario? SAF retires on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster after winning the league title and at least one other trophy. His successor? Who else? Try that one on for size Roman.

RD Reid, St. Catharines, Canada

lol... what a disgrace! chelsea have lost a jewel. chelsea should return back to their average footballing like 3 years before jose's arrival again anytime soon. good players don't count if there ain't a great gaffer.

Derek Dartous, Chester,

Mourinho, he just can't cut it at this level. First signs of a slump in form, he jumps ship. Good riddance!!

Rob Jones, Derby, UK

Irony abounds....I was just beginning to appreciate the Special One and his sense of humour especially when taking on the press. If John Terry was partly responsible that would be a shocker and further proof that the England captaincy should have been given to Steven Gerrard.

Brad, Godalming,

How amusing :)
The "Special" one doesnt look so "special" now. Hasn`t looked that "special" for quite some time .
he has , however, looked surly, miserable, morose, truculent,petulant, whiney, and stubbornly ridiculous.
His (now EX) team have looked lacklustre, mediocre, boring and flat.
I dont deny his talent as a football manager, nor the qualities of some of the best players in the world he signed, but as a human being, he was painful to have to listen to and watch.

I for one, am glad to see him go.
As a football fan, I hope Chelsea dont slide the same path that leads did... I hope they get an honest hardworking charismatic replacement before that happens and continue to stretch ALL the teams in the league to better and more exxciting games.

Mourinho?
I hope he just...goes away.

LFC, Liverpool, England

I'm not a Chelsea fan but I adore the style of their coach....Chelsea has lost its biggest asset and i don't know who will save them now........surely money can't do anything now........if it would have happened after the season then it was alright but in the season is a great setback for Chelsea........They need a miracle now cuz no manager can bring them on the track at this moment.........

Hassan, Ipswich, Suffolk

You really are the "Special One"!
Well done! José Mourinho...time to change...
All the luck to Chelsea players, you are a good team.

Andreas, Copenhagen,

I am in no doubt José will be a loss to the game played on these shores (and good luck to him if he heads for pastures new b.t.w).
But sadder still is the fact that money is now without doubt be-all and end-all at boardroom level; nowt else matters. Just 6 games into the season and across town there's already talk of Jol being given the boot!
José and Jol are both fine managers, and one wonders if coaches capable of satisfying the boards of both their respective clubs actually exist. The game, even at international level, has got to such a stage where £40,000 carrots are waved in front of the noses of national sides. What next?
The sight of a mere 24,000 fans turning out for a Champion's League game must surely have been the icing on the cake for Abramovich. Or was it the cheeky handshake he received from Villa ex-chairman Doug Ellis after the Blues' 2-0 defeat that did it?

Russ, Birmingham, UK

Sad, Sad, Sad news... Sometimes people make the wrong decision. Abramovich has done just that.

Pam, Lagos, Nigeria

I doubt Abramovich has ever played any sport or has any understanding of it.

Phil, Hong Kong,

Another success for Fergie. Mourinho couldn't take the pressure ManU put him under last season. It was only a matter of time before he left. He was so used to winning with all Abramovich's funds and when it started to go wrong the money disappeared and he was squeezed out. I'll be at Old Trafford on Sunday to hear 75,000 crow at his demise.

David, Haslemere, UK

This is not a good day for the Premiership. Mourinho will be a very hard man to replace - in fact, near impossible. If the next manager can't win 2 championships, plus a few other 'cup' trophy's, in just 3 seasons then he'll be classed as a failure. The Premiership needs managers like Mourinho as he raised the bar of football. His presence has meant that English Football has had a team in the Champions League final 4 seasons on the trot. We've not seen an English domination of European football of the like since 1985. Come back Jose - all is forgiven.

Ian, Lewes, UK

Fergie has seen another off, you're next in his sights Benitez. The signs are that he's already cracking with ever more desperate team selections.
Wenger has proven the only man in history who can live with Sir Alex , the major trophies will be shared between Arsenal and Utd this season because of this

John Hardman, Wigan,

It's another sad day for Chelsea, Jose was a character that will be missed by more than CFC faithfull.
I would point the finger firmly at Abramovich, own the team dont meddle, when Ravenerie was manager he was axed when he too brought CFC several times into Europe and FA Cup.

mark, Southend, England

So what.

E Craig, FRANCE,

Maybe Jose should consider to be the coach of the first national team, too many teams or clubs are waiting for him.

Ali, Shenzhen, China

mourinho was dismissed it`s bad to the chelsea more 50 years chelsea waiting to win a premier shiep


mourinho it`s the best coach of the world

peter, london, england

For those who are blinded by the glint of all the silverware that he brought to Stamford Bridge in so short a time, consider this: (1)He had, as mentioned above, an open cheque book at his disposal.The moment that the funds stop, so do the results.Coincidence?(2)For all the money he spent, isn't it amazing, nay, shocking that Chelsea played most of last season without a permanent back four?(3)Never tired of hinting at the lack of firepower of Shevchenko, can anyone really remember who he brought to replace the indomitable William Gallas? The horrendous Khalid Boulharouz. (4)However big your ego is, you have to learn (as Jose learned the hard way) the limits that you can cross.Do you remember his masked complain and derision of Abramovich's interference in managerial matters: "If I were to take his place in his world of big business, we would be bankrupt.And if he were to take my place as manager, we would be bottom of the league."

Adil, Karachi, Pakistan

Mourinho's exit is not suprising. The guy thought shame on the back is better than on the face. This is because of the boring football he's made Chelsea to play and likely poor future perfomance.

Fred Momanyi, Nairobi, Kenya

Mr Abramovich has just killed hais best chances to win trophies.

IfI was Mourinho I'd quit too. The Premiership is so much poorer now...

Jose Costa, Luanda, Angola

There are two obvious outcomes of this situation: Chelsea is going down and Mourinho is going to coach Tottenham.
And i bet he'll finish ahead of Chelsea.

Carlos Ferreira, Lisboa, Portugal

He's only a footballer, I don't understand the fuss.

Keith, France,

Mourinho has set such a high standard whick is going to make life very difficult for who ever is going to succeed him.Also Abramovich should realise that money alone can't bring trophies and that too quiet often.Real Madrid over the past few years are perfect example for that.

gops, Cambridge, UK

It's not quite as easy to buy the European Cup as you expected is it Roman ?

Mark, Yorkshire,

It wasn't a really big surprise this situation, i'm a Benfica suporter, and when he lefted Benfica a few years ago, the board wanted to interfere with the team also and he left the club.
He is one of the best managers in the world, some people love him some people deslike him, but he's one reference in futebol!

Her ein Portugal nobody knew Chelsea, and now it's a World Class Club, I think that's the reason to admire is work in England.

Frederico Pereira, Leiria, Portugal

Well, this is a real shock for me. Chelsea has so many fans in Russia....

Anna, Saint-Petersburg,

mourinho had a huge impact upon football in the last few years, is sad to see him ggo

alex ball, warrington,

Mourinho got the best team of Great Britain in the last two years. He had very good players that did like the coach. For me the British football be came pooerer, more empty, because now I will see the games of Chelsea in a different way. I can't beelieve in a coach with the perseverense of Jose Mourinho. This is not for beeing portuguese, I see and enjoy football from several countries but I find the English football very competitiv. I am an addept of ACADÉMICA, a team of students and I have a dream "to have J. Mourinho as coach of my team".

Thanks, and the best to José Mourinho because he is a very good professional

Luísa Oliveira

Luísa Oliveira, Lisboa, Portuga

This is a disaster...JM will be greatly missed - not least by the legions of female fans who have joined the ranks of Chelsea supporters since he first appeared! Silly boy, Roman...you're losing a great asset!

Bev Bailey, London, UK

Mourinho's departure is the death of Chelsea!

Nelkovski, Perth Australia.

Steve Nelkovski, Perth, Australia

It would be interesting to see Jose Mourinho have a go at managing a national team, as he could then show what tactical and player management skills he has, and prove what skills he has without spending lots on money on transfers.

Karl Chads, London, UK

If he just cares about exciting football I guess Abramovic will be speaking to Kevin Keagan this morning so we can the excitement of 4-3 thrillers every week. We'll be very sad to see you go Jose, so hope you stay in the Premiership.

Richard, Jersey,

In my opinion, is a huge mistake to fire Mourinho now.
First of all, if you want to change the style, you must take a decision before the new season start, and build a new project, with a new mister who can choose the players that he want to play his games. Now it's difficult to find a new mister, all the good managers have recently started a new campaing with his club and it's not possible to take one.
Think too in the football players. Most of them were good friends from Mourinho and now they will be disorientated and confused, even disappointed. It's not easy to understand that now, just at the beginning, a new manager will arrive and will impose his viewpoint over that was before.
Furthermore, the results this year weren't so bad. I can't really understand why Abramovich has take this decision, but I definitely think that's a big mistake.
I'm from Barcelona, I want to say hello to "ViscaBarça", it's great to know people from Barça in other countries.

Victor, Barcelona, Spain

It is impossible to play football with your hands tied behind your back; thanks to Mourinho for the success the club has had with him.

Celia, notts, Notts

Jose Mourinho was the best thing to happen to the premiership, he had fire , arrogance and a great deal of witt. Remember when Liverpool accused Chelsea of being long ball merchants.... he retaliated on air by claiming that liverpool forwards were playing basket ball ... genius!
He had a big gob and annoyed plenty of people (remember how mohamed Ali was perceived..)he'll be remembered as a true great. Being loyal to the club does not mean being the owners lackey
Sadly I'm sure he'll be back with a club and knock Chelski out of the champions league.
Chelsea owe a great deal to him.

Ricahrd, London, England

First, this is Abramovich who brought Mourinho to Chelsea! He is the boss there. Second, do not forget Mr.Mourinho got ~ $270 million in his first year to buy players. Good ones! Yes, he is a great manager and with set of good players he delivered good results. He had to! But who wants to spend $200 million every two years? Jose! Remember last year a lot of Chelsea players started getting injuries? That is because you can't cheat on your body even if love your manager so much. The whole team was not performing from the end of the last season. Mourinho realized that but didn't know how to solve this problem. He wanted more money to spend. Agree, he is arrogant and egotixtical. I could see on TV a few times he berated Shevchenko in front of millions! Lack of class?!
Don't be sorry Chelsea fans. Media wll be.

Man. Utd fan.
Alex, San Ramon, CA

Alex, San Ramon, USA, CA

It took a brilliant 'special one' 3 years to make Chelsea be the best club in Europe. I wonder who will fit in shoes. Oh yah, we shall miss him definitely.

Kevin, Nairobi, Kenya

Imagine what could have been achieved if Mourinho had been left alone to do the job the way he wanted. Bringing in Frank Arnesen, Avram Grant and Andriy Shevchenko when Mourinho was against all three of those decisions was where his trust in the board was lost and quite rightly so, seeing as none of the three have made any impact on Chelsea since joining the club. Goodbye Jose, and thanks for the memories. You will never be forgotten and will go down as a Chelsea legend in the hearts of the Chelsea faithful

Simon, Sussex, UK

Not so special now are we! ! !
was it 17,000 EMPTY seats last match, the Chelsea way is completely unsustainable

Ahmed, Woking,

What a disgrace. I'm not a Chelsea fan, but I think Jose is great for the game and I think people will soon realise that. I suspect that all the managers of the top European teams will be sleeping less soundly from now on. Although I suspect that Jose we will want to take the rest of the season off with his family and then start at a new club next season. Or perhaps Jose for England/Barcelona/Spurs!?
Good luck Jose, you will be sorely missed-as they say in Portugeuse; "Fica frio".

Chris, London/Sao Paulo,

too bad you are leaving Mr Jose. we ll definately miss you. Thanks for all the good things you did to the club. JOSE you
are a great manager

George miti, lusaka, zambia

Bye, Bye Mourinho. Remember to put your dog into quarantine as you leave...

gdm, Ireland,

I saw it comming when the season starts but i think he was not bad as his boss thinks. he was destined for greater things with Chelsea FC.

MUZI ,DLAMINI, Nelspruit, South Africa

we going to miss his interview espesailly in match of th day.
also he was good for british football,sir alex had a lot of respect for this man. chelsea will find it had for a new manager to get the respect from the players,but as roy keane says life goes on .good luck chelsea

abu , batley, uk

Jose is a great manager. All those previous comments about him 'not being so great' have obviously not read his career history. Success at every club. Success with no funds. Success with funds. Success with minnow Portuguese clubs. Success with large Portuguese clubs. First league win for Chelsea in 50 years. Followed it up with a second. FA cup won. League cup won. Forming players to work as a unit is not easy, yet Jose did it with lowly paid Portuguese players and Premiership superstars.

The guy's one of the most successful managers in history already.

J, Bristol,

Whether or not you agree with his style of playing the game - other than possibly Arsenal's Venger, he is the most intelligent manager in the game.- His use of substitutes ,no matter how early in the game, has for example revolutionised the way other managers now deal with this aspect.

Due to Jose's fresh thinking approach no more are we left shaking our heads in disbelief when substitutes are brought on in the final ten minutes after it has been obvious from very early on in the game that some players were having a bad day at the office.

He brought a much needed breath of fresh air to interviews compared to the tired cliches of the existing incumbents my guess is the press and supporters of the game in general will miss him more than the Chelsea fans.

Thank you Mr Mourinho for that ray of light you shone into our game for such a brief period you have enriched it in ways which will only be recognized months after you have gone.

Adeus e sorte boa

David Wallace, Glasgow, Scotland

A disappointing day though inevitable. There was never going to be room enough for two egomaniacs at Stamford Bridge.An owner from a country in which business rivals are often killed knew what to do.

All the comments regarding 'attractive' football are absurd. Results are what fans want.

JS, London, UK

In as much as I relished the part the potu-geezer played in the Blue-revolution I hope now that Chelsea can move on from this and start making positive headlines on the pitch rather than negative ones in the boardroom. Farewell Maureen and many thanks for all the success you brought to Stamford Bridge.

Jason 'Blue for Life' Larkin, High Wycombe, Bucks, UK

I did not like the guy, but it would take some manager to emulate Mourinho's success. Chelsea have won two titles, a cup - came close to the final of Champions League and all after decades of baren years in Chealse's history.

Zachary Raikov, Warfield, England

Farewell Special One!
Lampard could not become your Chelsea Deco...
Your Blues gave most of us the blues...well at least the "yawns".
You love London so much...the kids in school there - You could move north to succeed the soon to be flying Dutchman...
Goodbye Special One!
No more sartorial sidelines
No more media conference bluster and quips
As they say in my chip shop...One Special please...Goodbye.

Don Dealgan, Dubai, UAE

Chelsea fans now find ourselves slightly conflicted. Mourinho is loved by all, but siding with him against the man who brought us from the brink of bankruptcy only a few years ago could be very dangerous. Clearly, Abramovich gets far too involved in the running of the Club; for example, the owner should have no say in what players the manager sign. But if we wish for Abramovich to stay, we must accept that things will be done his way, with him and his advisers calling the shots, which the manager has no choice but to abide by. The only other option is to hope that someone buys the Club off Abramovich, re-signs Mourinho and lets him do what he does best. It's a dark day for Chelsea Football Club, but not the darkest we've seen. There have been worse times for the Club and we've always come back. I, for one, am sure our bouncebackability will be shown once again. Who knows, maybe this will finally motivate the players to win the Champions League for the Special One...

Morten, London,

Such a pity. I'm a Liverpool fan but I now think the Premiership has lost one of its greatest assets. Mourinho is a legend. He is a fantastic manager ... the premiershp will be a lot quiter without him.
Abromovich is turning into that crazy chairman up at Hearts. He should just have Mourinho get on with the job.
The record speaks for itself - The first 2 years mourinho was in charge he was the undisputed Guv'nor - 2 league titles.The next year and a bit - too many abromovich yesmen - NO league titles.
The new manager at Real Madrid will have to be very very careful.
So long Hose

R Begley, Colombo, Sri Lanka

There is more to managing a football club than performance on the pitch. Take Arsenal. Wenger has performed a minor revolution there, completely changing the image of the the club to one that plays attractive flowing football and has a high code of ethics. He has been responsible for the complete rejuvenation of a community and they thank him for it. Last night, the Emirates stadium was once again sold out, as it was all last season, and the crowd chanted the managers name continually in thanks. Mourinho should play football in the streets since this is the gutter he belongs in. Even with the big Russian's millions all he achieved was some short-term success when he could have created something really special... I wonder what his north London rival would have achieved! I, for one, will not miss the Amex, fast car arrogance of this very small man and, I suspect, he will be quickly forgotten.

Jonathan Walwyn, Islington London,

As a ManU-fan this was the best news I could get on a Thursday morning. Mourinho was a good manager, and also fun and rhetoric, and if he had been allowed to do his work without interference he could have done well for Chelsea also in the future. As of now, I can relax knowing that the Chelsea-team surely and steadily will fall apart.

Bjørn M., Tromsø, Norway

what a way to wake up, we have lost an manager in Mourinho who shocked and spoke plainly had charisma and passion and just before the man u game we are left without a leader

d f, brighton, england

I am a Man Utd supporter and still wish to congratulate Jose for his success in lifting a nothing club to two league titles. Respect, Jose.

Jonathan, London,

One thing you can be sure of, whatever has happened to cause this latest fiasco it won't be Joses fault..! That's what he will be remembered for , never, ever being responsible for anything that went wrong with his team.

Al, Weybridge,

There should be a revolution over this. a shambolic decision based on egos and money. not at all in the interests of chelsea fc.all self respecting fans of the club should boycott immediately games and any other forms of revenue generation.he single handedly transformed affairs at chelsea.provided focus and team sense.unbelievable.

steve rigby, berlin, germany

Mourhino's record at Chelsea is outstanding, as it was at Porto before. His win rate at Chelsea is over 68%, and he managed the side to 6 trophies in 3 seasons.

With those results the business owners should leave him alone. But the value of the club has also increased, they have moved from 10th to 5th most valuable club in the world. http://www.deloitte.co.uk/RegistrationForms/PDFs/DeloitteFootballMoneyLeague2006.pdf

What more can a club ask for? Champion's League success? It would have been a matter of time.

Perce, London,

A great loss to the Premiership and to Chelsea. Say what you like about him he was clearly successful and hugely entertaining as a manager. I hope Chelsea can wheather this storm but you do wonder whether, after an early exit from the Champions League and a fourth place finish at the end of the season, Mr A will wish he'd left the football to the "special" one?

James, London, UK

As a Liverpool fan I am sorry to see him go - I thought he was an absolute star (and magically myopic at times!) The EPL is a lesser place without him.
Just had a thought - Liverpool need an assistant manager - maybe Jose could give Rafa a hand until he finds homself a new job! now that would be funny....

Paul, Sheffield,

I was never a great fan of Jose but you have to admire his record with Chelsea and he was a character. When clubs start to sack managers who have only lost 10 games in three seasons and never a game at home it's a sad day for football. There is definitely something underhand too about how Chelsea conduct their business e.g the Mikel dispute, after he had agreed to go to Man Utd, the Ashley Cole tapping up dispute and tapping up youngsters from Leeds. Incidentally it's time we stopped calling club MANAGERS coaches and started referring to them as managers. This is where things start to break down as the money people in the club believe that they are only there to coach players. In the past the man was called manager and that meant not just in charge of the first team squad but also overseeing scouting, coaching, youth policy and most importantly transfers. i.e Managing!

George, Glasgow, UK

what a waste. Jose is a talented manager. No other man can take over his role in chelsea. He is the best manager in Europe.

Tim, Malaysia,

Well Done Mr morinho! Being an intelligent coach, he does not need to be under the mercy of any Kenyon, Abramovich or Bucks. Jose Morinho has nothing to prove to anybody. Anyone who loves football realises how smart and sharp you are. Your contributions to the Chelsea FC can not be erased by the multy billions of Abramovich. Each and every Chelsea fan would relish the wonderful memories of you with the club. I wonder how many billions of Mr Abramovich could buy 65 undefeated home games wihout Jose Morinho! The way he took the pressure off of the players was so fascinating that nobody else has disagreement on that. No new recruites could do the job as best as Jose Morinho did it!

Dean Ignatius, Stockton, California

What a pity! I am a Liverpool fan but thought Jose, with his arrogance, brought a new perspective to the Premier League. That will be missed!

Trevor, Durban, South Africa

Despite Mourinho's arrogant facade, (especially for the media) there is no doubt that he is a brilliant manager. Tactically astute with great passion for the game he will be very hard to replace. In addition, a certain Scottish gentleman based 180 or so miles to the north will be also be as hard to replace but let us hope that that scenario is to be proven sooner rather than later.

Not only is the task to replace, but to better as the Billionaire will not accept anything less than the ultimate achievement, namely the Premiership AND The Champions League or European Cup as it was always known.

First Claudio Ranieri followed by Jose Mourinho, I'm not so sure there is anyone better than those two, irrespective of the countless millions available. Chelsea may have to go back to competing with Spurs, West Ham & Fulham to be the 2nd London team.

p.s. Roman, keep your eyes and hands off Sven, he has his own project and it is under way at Eastlands! CTID

Andy10, Isle of Man,

Sad day for Chelsea. I doubt whether they will get anybody half as good a manager as the Special One. Too much interference and lack of respect for the manager pointed the club in this direction. Arsenal and Man U are great examples of allowing managers the freedom to lead. Their managers are trusted and gave been at their clubs for years and have delivered success consistently. Mourinho was successful, Abrahamovich does not understand the dynamics of professional football, no amount of money can bring you direct success in Europe, it is a tedious exercise.

Well, you will see the senior players leaving as well to follow Mourinho where ever he goes. All I know is that he will be successfull and it will take Chelsea another 50 years!

Adrian Jacobs, Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa

Not a shock, the fire has gone from the manager and the players. It appears that the club has too many appointments of football 'experts' looking over he managers shoulder.
A sad day for Chelsea after the success. We shall see in the next few months whether the club was right to let him go, will they be in the champions league next year, will they be in the top four. I fear success will leave with the manager unless the new manager ia allowed to manage.

Philip Pearce, Riberac, France

What a fantasticly stupid thing to do - sack Mourinho. The egos at SM have cooked the golden goose. Goodbye Chelsea, you were great to watch, now you'll be back mid table from whence you came. I'll miss you.

John Clarke, Tring, England

lets see how good a manager he is now as he will not have Abramovich s millions to buy himself out of trouble. This could be the best thing that has happened to him. Good luck in your future.

Dave W, WINCHESTER, ENGLAND

No one wrong as the divorce comes. Abramovich pays more money, and sure, he wanna get much more. Jose has his own class, obviously he cannot bear the disrespect.
Anyway, thanks Jose for his "specials" at Stamford Bridge in 3 years. But poor Chelsea, they will be much weaker without Jose.

Nhat Quang, Hanoi, Vietnam

This is a huge loss for Chelsea and the Premier League. A great man manager and he built something special at Chelsea to rival the Man Utds and Arsenals and get the entire league to step up another couple of levels.

What is it with these interfering owners of football clubs? Do you see Steve Gibson doing this to Gareth Southgate? I don't think so. I'm fully behind Jose and Chelsea are probably going to head down the same path of self destruction that Hearts have for the same reasons. Say goodbye to your key players Chelsea fans and good luck Jose

Phil Lewis, Melbourne, Australia

I have to agree with Frank from London...there is a reason why Wenger , Sir Alex, and the Liverpool Teams of the past have had so much success. It is continuity and non-interferance from upstairs. I beleive that Chelsea's success was lightning in a bottle due to this and whilst not on the same massive scale we are going to see Chelsea pull a 'Leeds'. Whilst Chelsea is kind of a big team it has to learn from top to bottom what it takes to be a great team and they are far from that. Peter Kenyon must be kicking himself with his designer shoes for ever leaving Old Trafford.

Derek, Chicago, Illinois, USA

Jose Mourinho is a coach with a vision. He made Chelsea to be a strong team. I am a Chelsea fan and I am very much sad by his departure. Although we have had some draws recently, great results from Chelsea under Mourinho were on the way.
I pray that Mourinho and Chelsea will reconcile so that our favourite Portuguese coach can stay at Stampford Bridge. Please Roman, Mourinho can take Chelsea at greater heights.

Absalom Shigwedha , Windhoek, Namibia

just as much as he came in for the sacked Ranieri, so will another manager from some team. Surely hes not the ultimate manager in football history living or dead.He is special only for what he did during his tenure not after it.
He wont be missed at all!!!

jayza, derby, UK

No one wrong as the divorce comes. Abramovich pays more money, and sure, he wanna get much more. Jose has his own class, obviously he cannot bear the disrespect.
Anyway, thanks Jose for his "specials" at Stamford Bridge in 3 years. But poor Chelsea! They will be much weaker without Jose.

Nhat Quang, Hanoi, Vietnam

I don't like Chelsea or their fans - but I do like Mourinho.
It comes down to a simple matter:
Civilised = Mourinho.
Un-Civilised = Abramovich & Co.

Mourinho reminds me fondly of that other one-off manager Brian Clough. They were football men with style and class, something wasted completely on the vulgars of Chelsea.

I will miss you José.

Les , London, England

After all it was not the eggs but the cook who made a bad omelet.

Rob, Posieux, Switzerland

Hopefully Mourinho will stay in the Premiership - characters of his calibre are few and far between.
Reports suggest Grant will be given the big seat - ludicrous. Small time interferer.
If someone has to get the job - they could do a lot worse than giving Mark Hughes a chance.

Kwev, London, UK

Simon Barnes commented in this very newspaper when Mr Abramovich started throwing around obscene amounts of cash that the truly great Chelsea story was still to come. It was not the massive money being invested nor the potential trophies in the cabinet, it would be the day that it all started to fall apart. Has it begun? Are we about to see one of the great train wrecks of football? Finally, they may just become the greatest show in town.

Mark Eggleton, Sydney, Australia

chelsea lost the nº1 one coach in the world.
Abramovich is not seeing the future, and mourinho will go to italy for sure.

jorge, leiria, portugal

For the ones that say "You are not so great JOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!" and that he had success because he had a team with Football Stars and money, remember what he did with Oporto FC.
He had no football superstars, and no open cheque book. For the ones that don't know, besides Winning the championship in Portugal, he won Uefa Cup and Champions League.

Well done Mourinho!!!

Sérgio Silva, Póvoa de Varzim, Portugal

As a Chelsea supporter from Kuwait I cant found a word to describe how disappointed I am that Jose is left the club he is one of the best manger in the world I have been supporting Chelsea for 20 years there is no one well do what Jose done to the club I wish it’s a dream just dream and thing well go back to normal

Suwaid, Kuwait City, Kuwait

er, bob... there was no world cup rugby game on that night.

are you seriously suggesting half of chelsea's fans stayed away because they were spending the week working their way from st denis to nantes?

seems more likely chelsea don't actually have that many real fans. without the "big game blues", there's a relatively small permanent core.

jem, london, uk

There goes a sexy man! And footballs greatest asset in the UK.......!

stprivatdes, Dordogne, France

What do you know about exciting football, you need to bring the best managers and players in the world to England. That must tell you something.

I am gald he is gone becasue he should go where people will respect him and leave a country of holigans at heart.

Luis , London,

Empty seats are no surprise at Chelsea. Without Abramovich the club would be similar in size to West Ham or Bolton and no where near United, Arsenal and Liverpool. Growth is organic and fueled by gradual and sustained success. The vast sums of money have acted like a fertilizer causing the Chelsea flower to grow, without establishing the strong roots needed to sustain it. Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle or Everton would have filled those seats if Champions League football had been on offer.

Phil Webster, Leigh, Lancashire, UK

I think I and many other Chelsea fans will rue this day for many years to come. Jose Mourhino built championship teams with money at Chelsea, and without money at Porto, where he also won the European Championship. Who knows what would have happened last season if he was given the funds to reinforce the side during the transfer window. I do understand that Chelsea FC is owned by Abramovitch, and he can do what he wants with them, however, if you cannot recognise real talent (Genius maybe!) you do not deserve success. For myself, Chelsea are becoming unfamiliar, and my feelings for them are not as they have been for the past 50 years, and, when Jose Mourinho walked out of the door, he took with him that special feeling and emotion I have always had for the club!

Kevin Sullivan, London, UK

With a contract of over 5 million a year, the never ending open bank account to buy up players appeared to be a godsend to Chelski, however, the Special One has now disappeared into the ether capacious. Now what?
The three year stint was the longest Mourinho stayed at any club in his managerial career. I am sure he will emerge again somewhere but surely not with the same salary or the same amount of ready cash to spend on players.
Right now, my prediction is that Chelski will not win anything this season and many of their so called fine weather suporters will disappear.

Jaberwoie, Bern, Switzerland

I want it all and I want it NOW! Even Abramovitch's money can't buy two European Cups in the next six years - and do it with "style", even! JM was right to get out and pass the poisoned chalice to another mug. He's been a great manager for Chelsea and they will miss him - wish he would come to Liverpool and replace our tactically-bereft "Special One" with his crop-rotation policy. But RP Dixon was right, sign him up now as the next England manager, it would be interesting to see how he would change the team's line-up, never mind their tactics!

Alan, Johannesburg, South Africa

Hopefully now that the stubborn and arrogant Mourinho is gone, we will have the chance to see the great Shevchenko playing for Chelsea as he used to do for Milan AC. Mourinho managed to destroy one of the best European striker ever.

bye bye Jose, we will not miss you!

Stan, London,

it's a disaster! he was sooo good

ginger, cambs,

As an Arsenal fan Chelsea were another annoyingly good enemy to be beaten, but Jose has proved to be a fantastic manager for them and very passionate about what he does. Abramovich seems to want full power and control over the club and can often be seen petulantly stalking off if the team aren't winning, this is very unfair and must have been hugely demoralising to Jose and his men. I suppose Chelsea will have have a puppet for a manager now, who would want that job?

Julia, Wirral, UK

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

Tragedy. We're surely about to become Real Madrid but without the history- a load of interfering senior figures at the club and a job no manager will take because he knows what he will get, together with an expensively assembled 'team' that looks nothing of the sort.

What price Jose to Barca with Frank following in January?

Come back, Mourinho
Come back, Mourinho
Come back, Mourinho
Come back, Mourinho

George, London,

I fear that Chelsea will have a hard time recovering from the absence of Mourinho, just like FC Porto did. But there is a huge difference: Chelsea was not a winning team, with a tradition of winning tittles... And FC Porto was. Before Mourinho, Porto was the most winning club in Portugal for the last 15 years. So I fear that, unless a new manager with a similar profile of Mourinho´s (a wining profile and highly respectable), Chelsea will not be on the same ground that the other "european greats" stand.

Luis Mateus, Porto, Portugal

galatasaray is the best team in the world

John Smith, Netherlands,

i really feel sorry about what happened in the club but all the same abramovich should try and settle whatever thing that transpired between him and mourinho and allow peace to rain it is not because of today but for future reference.
The players should try and be in one accord so that the spirit of mourinho will not die like that because he is an hero and has to be treated like an hero.
I am a chelsea fans and i believe we have all it take to win both the uefa, league and carling cups.

faith abiodun olaifa, lagos, nigeria

There's nothing left in chelsea, If Jose left the club, I was a chelsea fan becuase Jose was manager, But Now It is not.

Bhaskar Shetty, Mumbai, India

Well said, Sophie.

Bluesfaninexile, Louisville, KY

The new Chelsea manager will have a very difficult time and
he will have to recruit a completely new team at great expense.
The reason being that the current Chelsea players will not
perform for the new manager given the way Abramovich has treated Mourinho. Chelsea will win nothing this season, not
even the Carling cup.

John, LONDOn,

It's very strange...in Italy now : Chelsea = Mourinho....The strenght of Mourinho was the killer part of Chealsea team when they scored in extra times!!! Capello is coming ?

Marco, Naples, Italy

Chelsea are now finished for the next two seasons... The league is United's again...

How stupid Abramovich is, how arrogant. Mourinho was more important than any of the players to Chelsea's success.

matty , frankfurt, germany

jose leaving is a real blow to english football. I was just talking with some workmates yesterday about how much better the premier league is when there is a real rivalry between managers. Unfortunatley one of the key figures in this has gone, and along with it, a little bit of sparle from english football.
goodbye jose...
and chelsea...what now?

nick reed, ramsgate, kent

I wish grant is the next manager....!!!

jaron, london,

I am an American and Chelsea fan since the Ruud and Zola days. I saw my first Chelsea game at the Bridge when I was 13. This is completely gut-wrenching!! I can't imagine the Blues without Mourinho. He's our Hero! He's the best manager out there! Damn the Red Menace! Bring Mourinho back!!

G.H. Dorr, USA,

Its unbelieveable. He has been the most successful manager. Personal relationships should not consume talent. As a chelsea fan I wish him good luck.

MAHESH, SURAT, INDIA

Devastated - I'm a lifelong Manchester United fan and I can see that man was great for English football. He respected English players, he recognised talent, he was passionate and flamboyant and unfortunately increasingly stifled by unrealisitic bankers and the club owner. Let's be very clear - Mourinho going is a huge loss to the Premiership. Abramovich may have killed the goose that laid his golden egg.

Jon Baxter, Basra,

It's sad. But that's the way life is on the fast lane. 3 consecutive matches without any result, and you are out; without any consideration whatsoever on where this team has reached under you, and where it can go from here. Reminds me of family owned business houses in India! No matter how good the CEO is professionally, he's always going to be judged based on his relation with the owner(s).

Samrat Sen, Noida, India

The best manager there is, and Abramovich couldnt leave him alone.
I pity the next guy at Chelsea.
Mourinho might go to Spurs and if he does, get ready to celebrate Tottenham winning lots of trophies.
I will support whatever team Jose goes to because he has the rare combination of honesty and brains.

harry wolf, vancouver, canada

He brought colour and vigour to the premier. Mourinho was and is indeed a special one. Two championships in a row after 50 years!!!
.
I liked his candid style.

Vincent Chisaka, NAIROBI, KENYA

His TV interview after the Blackburn game was typical of him. He couldn't 'make a Grade One omelette with lower grade eggs'. Looks like his golden goose is cooked!

Nev, Rudkøbing, Denmark

I've supported Chelsea for 42 years and I promise you that Jose was the best signing we ever made in that time.

Devestating news that he felt so undermined that he had to quit and it leaves us in a terrible position - that will worsen if Hiddink gets the job! His next team will be getting the greatest manager on earth.

Good luck Jose but not when you are up against The Blues!

Mehmet, I also love the way Wenger plays the transfer market - sell your best players - it's brilliant!

John Foley, Pattaya, Thailand

Midas, roman mythographers noted, had his ears turned into a donkey's ears when he resented Apollo's victory in a lyre contest over Pan. Mr Abramovitch may well look like an ass when he realizes Mourinho's tunes aren't much better or worse than his replacement will be allowed to play. Overbearing control from the board room will never create a great team. Berslusconi has the good grace to leave Ancelotti to it and look at the results. Meddling billionaires who wannitall "now" will no doubt soon tire of the work and buy the finished product - Barcelona? Real Madrid? - instead.

Paolo, Hong Kong,

I cannot believe, i started to watch chelsea playing when jose hired. Now i should consider as no one have done better than him from not popular to famous club in the world.

Morino, Sinapore, Singapore

The day the owner started buying players not wanted by the manager, who must decide tactics, thats the end of football. I hope Roman and his advisers will not regret their actions of the last few months.

S Balogun, London

S Balogun, London, UK

Terry and Lampard must be down on their knees to whatever god they worship giving thanks for the hugely inappropriate salaries they were given before the big bust up. Would any other manager seriously consider either player to be worth it?.

les, Nanjing, China

To Abramovich, Chelsea is just probably a tax shelter and a hobby. The tax shelter bit is probably on auto-pilot mode, with the huge losses the club is making already. So, Abramovich would wish to have his other objective achieved, and that is to see Chelsea play with style and win games, to enjoy his hobby. The last thing you want to have in that situation is, have a stale style of play, not able to win simple games and have a egoistic guy claiming lack of funds s the lame excuse. If Liverpool can get to the CL twice without the funds, Jose was justing waiting for trouble. Rosenborg exposed him bare!!

Syed, K.Lumpur, Malaysia

I think jose mourinho was not a quality coach to a big team like Chelsea, he prove failure to work under great pressure, i hope it is a lesson to everybody that Jose work in that english club were full of luckness lather than ability of a manager himself.

Samson mwasakafyuka, Dar es salaam, Tanzania

He was gong to be gone sooner or later. Two egos as big as Mourinho and Abramovich were never going to be able to share the same room. I'm surprised it lasted this long. As the saying goes "What goes up, must come down.". Oh and Tacoma leave the Yankees out of this. George has won 6 championships since being an owner.

NY Gooner, Westchester, New York

Wow...This has got to be the story of the year as far as Football is concerned...Jose leaving is like a shock to the system...

Jaideep Bhandarkar, New Delhi,, India

Even im MU fan but i admire Mourinho as Great football personality. Chelsea loss a great manager. He bring Chelsea from zero to hero. Mourinho will become another big club manager. Good luck Jose...

Partiban, KL, Malaysia

This is what happens when an owner, with no football background, believes that he knows more than a seasoned manager on how to create success. Add to that, both men have enormous egos...

I've never been a huge fan of Mourinho (I'm a Liverpool fan), but he deserved better treatment from his team, with the results he brought to the team. Plus, he was entertaining, if nothing.

Hope he finds a better situation.

Jun, Denver, USA

As a United fan he constantly annoyed me, but he always made things interesting. The Premiership needs entertaining characters and he will be sorely missed.

Owen, Brandon, U.S.

Come on give the man some credit if not more, its not often that some team other than MANU get a standing ovation at old trafford
( being a MANU fan i really hated that moment)...........

Pratyush S, lucknow, india

i think he wasnt given a chance by his boss to buy what ever player/striker he admires,and shevchenko is not,it was kaka he rally wnted, inadditon he was told he has to win the champion league or else. sheva is abramovich's best friend.i dont blame him, he's made the right decision.
we miss him he is a real charcter not fake.

abel, LONDON, uk

Here we go... knockers are out... Jose has won Chelsea two Premierships in first two years. Yes, maybe now is time for a change but lets not forget all the good he has done for the club. I will miss the 'Special One' Good luck in the futureJose, thaks for everything

Chelseaoz, Perth, Australia

As a chelsea fan i feel very sorry to see him leave, i give him credit for what he achieved at chelsea, but in the world of football noboddy is safe, no matter how good you are, you are not better than the club, the club always comes first, players and managers come and go, but the club is always there. You want to be remembered as a great player, or manager when you decide to leave. I think his depature might be a big step in the right direction. With all that money that has been spent, it better be. I know this might sound ironic but he will be missed not only for chelsea fans but other fans too. He was a character. Farewell Jose and good luck where ever you go.

gaz xhemali, new york , usa

Go Rosenborg!

andreas, Oslo, Norway

I could tell this was coming after grant appeared

p.hyams, san francisco, usa

I think Roman Abramovich has made a very capricious move. This is no way to build a team into anything... EPL champions, title contenders in competitions and a tough tema to beat elbowing with other clubs in Europe... all else takes time. I will miss Jose but it is my guess that Chelsea will miss him even more.

Taboada, North Providence, RI, USA

Abramovich brought in a wonderful manger but then wanted to pull too many levers. His insistence on signing Shevchenko for a ludicrous fee and on a ludicrous salary - far higher than Terry and Lampard - forced Mourinho to change a winning approach to try to accommodate Shev. Ballack, another poor buy last year, also on a huge salary, may also have been brought in undert pressure from Abramovich. Without these two, Chelsea might well have won a third Premiership last year. With them, Mourinho was refused funds to bring in a much-needed defender in January, another factor in failing to overcome Man U. Of course Abramovich's money has brought success to Chelsea, but with a huge and probably irreplaceable contribution from Jose. Adios, amigo!

Faustino, Brisbane, Australia

I am a Liverpool supporter and am sad to hear the news.

Mourinho has been great for english football and his accomplishments, regardless of the money spent, in the first 2 years were absolutely outstanding. Chelsea were unlucky to lose the premiership last year and against Liverpool in the two Champions League semi-finals. I am not saying that Mourinho is perfect or better than Ferguson, Wenger or Benitez but surely he is on par and will probably have no problems getting a job at many tob clubs in europe.

Abramovitch obviously wants a coach like a Klinsman etc who plays very attacking football. That is fine but I am not sure that is going to necessarily get him the Champions League. Real Madrid is a perfect example of that - they have spent heaps to play attacking football and haven't really made much progress in the champions league in the last few years.

Am sure Mourinho will do well wherever he goes.

Garry

Garry Daniels, London,

I am so so very dissapointed. Morinho was probably Chelsea's best hope of taking Europe.

RIP Chelsea FC

Zachary Malik, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Oh dear. What a terrible shame for attacking football.

scherben, Manchester,

José in Portugal national team! :) good news for us.. bat for chelsea supporters... good luck Chelsea

Rodolfo, porto, Portugal

Perfect your Mourinho report above this page. Very cool and equalised. Compliments.

Django Quemado, Lugano, Switzerland

I belive the team is playing well and chelsea would have been champions last year if a storm of injuries hadn´t washed player after player including goal-keepers. This year we can look at the team and see the best players aren´t there...only terry and with a fracture on his foot...all of this is known by everyone..and the team in the last 2 games didn´t because of a referee´s decision and a tremendous lack of luck. If the owner can see that maybe jose shall realy get out because he has given them almost everything they can remember and that is not enough for them. Let´s see what chelsea can do in the next few years...if i was a chelsea fan i just couldn`t be happy....

peter, beverly-hills, USA

How is this possible? Mourinho always prepare his choises. I think he is a special worker but with good conections, this decision it's really strange!
I hope he will talk about it as soon as possible!

Joanna, Porto, Portugal

The Premiership has lost a great manager, and that is coming from a Manchester United fan. Mourinho's teams weren't always the most entertaining, but the ability they consistently showed to bring themselves back into games, was often quite fantastic.

I hope we see José back in English football sooner rather than later.


Brian Elliott
http://brianelliott.spaces.live.com/

Brian Elliott, Belfast, Northern Ireland

It was just a matter of time

Ken, Wollongong, Australia

As a Chelsea fan im disgusted by the way they let him go (or sacked or resigned or whatever).
As a Mourinho fan im really happy for him to be out of the environment Chelsea has become.Everyone targeted Chelsea as a team that wastes money down the drain, and from everywhere i heard, read that with this level of players being a manager it could not be so difficult. But we must consider that for example neither Sheva or Ballack were bought by Josè. So, if a manager cannot decide which player to buy or not, someone please tells me what being a manager means. He won matches with his choices and he showed to be a brave man going against the grain. Six pieces of silver remember that. I think hes succesfull even now hes out of stamford bridge. Lets see. Good luck Special One.

Robbo, Genova, Italy

I became a Chelsea supporter two years ago, when I first saw Chelsea play. It was beautiful football. Since then, I've watched great players disappear or give way to "stars" that were brought in, with no idea about team play. There was a chemistry before that is gone, and many can defend the teams choices, but I only know what I see. Money can't buy chemistry, it is something that is created by the wise choices and instinct of an intelligent and committed manager.

Kelt Eccleston, Victoria, Canada

Soon Managers will be sacked if the other team gets a corner!

Carl Teper, Jerusalem, ISRAEL

Abramovich is like a kid with a trainset.

It's his trainset - and the other kids need to remember that.

Kevin, London,

you must be a very happy man Matt Hughes, given you have consistantly ploughed a very deep anti Chelsea and anti Jose furrow. As to some of the remarks posted, just plain silliness to write the team off, the king has gone, but another will take his place, so long live the king who ever it turns out to be as it continues to be blue is the colour and football is the game.

Adi, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire

Thanks for everything Jose. We've never had one like you and never will again.

Good Luck

DSX, London,

Brash and straight talking manager not unlike Brian Clough may not be appreciated by the non-fans, but shall be deeply missed when they are no longer around. It gives deep satisfaction to see Chelsea being not as consistent as they were in the first two years after all that bragging, but surprisingly it gives no satisfaction at all to see him leave. Good luck Mourinho.

Taufik Aziz, Gombak, KL, Malaysia

Jose for England.

Chelsea for the championship.

Abramovich ........????

Ralph Thackray, Grand Brassac, France

He was so sexy I do hope he gets a job on TV as I am going to miss him. I hate football in general but would always make an exception for this stylish human being.

Sunita Day, Northwood, Middlesex

Obviously playing second fiddle to all Abramovich's hirings was not the idea to run a club, in which Mourinhos opinion counted for nothing because the Russian new rich and football "connoisseur" just did what he wanted. As other readers claim, Chelsea will be just an average club after Jose. A real pity.
If this new rich did just what the American owners do, let their professional employees take care of business, the story would be another.

Karl Kalisso, Miami, USA/FL

Mario Albuquerque you say that Mourinho is the best coache in the world, it is really funny!
I think he's a good players manager but bein a good football manager is another thing...

Angelo, San Severo, Italy

gabriel, there's a big difference between being the best manager in chelsea's history and being the best manager in the world.

personally, I can think of at least ten managers who would have spent abramovich's money more wisely, allowed their teams to play more attractive football and won the league a couple of times. and all with a little more grace than jose ever managed.

jem, london, uk

When Chelsea went a goal down to Rosenborg the camera switched to show a laughing Abramovich. Funny I thought.
Now I think he was in a perverse way pleased, because he had the ammunition to get rid of Mourinho.
As an Arsenal fan I am devastated as I think Mourinho was imploding and taking Chelsea back down the league table.
Without him there, they may be a lot harder to dislike now

Jim Clarke, Chichester, West Sussex

It's a sad day not only for Chealsea supporters but those who enjoy watching football being played at the highest level.
While the Club is bigger than the manager, the manager was bigger than the players.. his post match comments will be missed, as often the british public take confidence as arrogance preffering the tight lipped approach.
England could do with Jose as manager despite the recent uptick in their results.
Thank you for the memories Jose

Mark, Thorpe-Bay, Essex, England

I think this is the beginning of the end for Chelsea. How long before Abramovich's patience wears off when he can't buy every title immediately and he just sells the club?

He's and the Club have just had their best run in club history, by a mile. And he's unhappy? Two league titles in three years? No losses at home (in league play).Two FA Cups. Two League Cups. More domestic titles in the last six years (6) than in their entire previous history (5). And that's not good enough? Bah. This is even worse than Madrid firing Capello after winning the League.

I hope Chelsea fans have enjoyed the ride. I hope managers and others react as they should to ownership groups like this, and take their talents elsewhere. I know it's a pipe dream, but one can only hope.

With teams like Everton, Newcastle, Tottenham (I think), Manchester City, and Aston Villa all making concerted efforts for CL spots, I think the brief period of the BIG 4 could be coming to an end, back to the BIG 3.

Jason, Columbus, OH

The LA Galaxy need a coach. Maybe if they throw $250m at him, he might come join Beckham.

Go DC UNITED!!!!

Landon Donovan, LA, USA

So,six trophies in three seasons is not good enough?This a prime example of a spoilt kid throwing a tantrum because not everything is going his way this very minute.The whole setup at Chelsea seems a complete shambles.Just watch them rot from within from hereon.

john turton, dudley,

Inevitable.
Abramovich will get someone who clashes less (but of course therein lies a danger) and his resources will permit him to shop around.
Mourinho will move on and his star hasn't waned yet - although he may yet leave these shores.
Maybe we will see Chelski's tour of the lower divisions beginning next year in the Championship (a Burnley fan)

Terence Park, Burnley,

I'm gonna miss him. I think he probably needs a rest for the remainder of the season, then come back witha decent club for next year.

I can't see him at a big vclub like AC Milan or Real Madrid - he's more of a Sevilleor Roma kind of manager. Somewhere with a litle money (not too much) and total control. Maybe the US national team could mamke an offer; I think there is enough talent there to do some damage in the World Cup & Jose would be just the man to build that team.

Don, Ipswich, UK

Game over for the title this year, you don't recover from this quickly...very knee jerk and what you might call a huge own goal!

Alan Baker, Bracknell, UK

Abramovich is guilty of making the worst decision in the history of professional football. Jose Mourinho has proven himself to be among the best managers in the world (perhaps ever) and shows no reasonable signs of waning. He is also an international celebrity - a recognisable and successful brand - a perfect fit for a team with ambitions to become a team