In the wake of a disappointing season, English club Chelsea has taken the obvious decision to fire their manager Jose Mourinho on Thursday. It happened just seven months after winning the title in 2014-15 season.
“Chelsea F.C. and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent” the club said in an official statement.
52-year-old Mourinho had been in his second spell with Chelsea. He took the charge of managing the club in June 2013. In the last season of EPL, Chelsea finished eight points clear and won the title.
Mourinho was Chelsea’s most successful manager, winning three premier league titles in his first spell, three League Cups and 2007 FA Cup.
It is unlikely he will be out of management for long, given his success in multiple countries, Mourinho is likely to be in demand by top European clubs despite a controversial sacking. At 52, he is still far from retirement age, he has expressed a wish to coach the English and Portuguese national sides at some stage in his career. However in 2007 when England boss Steve McClaren was sacked, he turned down the chance. He has proven track record of bringing success over his ability to build a dynasty.
Though Chelsea is seemingly out of hope of a high league finish, it remains alive in the Champions League. They have made it to the last 16 of the Champions League where they will play Paris-Saint Germain, but it has been their domestic form which was the main reason behind sacking of Mourinho.
Guss Hiddink is set to take over as interim manager until the end of the season.
Club-by-Club record of Jose Mourinho
1. Benfica (September 20, 2000 to December 5, 2000)
Played: 11 Won: 6 Drew: 3 Lost: 2
Win percentage: 54.55
2. Uniao de Leiria (July 2001 to January 23, 2002)
Played: 20 Won: 9 Drew: 7 Lost: 4
Win percentage: 45.00
3. Porto (January 23, 2002 to May 26, 2004)
Played: 127 Won: 91 Drew: 21 Lost: 15
Win percentage: 71.65
4. Chelsea (first spell: June 2, 2004 to September 20, 2007)
Played: 185 Won: 124 Drew: 40 Lost: 21
Win percentage: 67.03
5. Inter Milan (June 2, 2008 to May 28, 2010)
Played: 108 Won: 67 Drew: 26 Lost: 15
Win percentage: 62.04
6. Real Madrid (May 31, 2010 to June 1, 2013)
Played: 178 Won: 128 Drew: 28 Lost: 22
Win percentage: 71.91
7. Chelsea (second spell: June 3, 2013 to December 17, 2015)
Played: 136 Won: 80 Drew: 28 Lost: 28
Win percentage: 58.82
