The Football Thread

[ron9]

From the BBC website:

 

Mourinho stunned football by parting company with Chelsea late on Wednesday, and has been replaced by Avram Grant. "The reason the decision has been taken is that we believed the breakdown started to impact on the performance of the team," said a Chelsea statement.

 

"Recent results supported this view. We did not want this to continue or affect the club further."

 

Mourinho made an emotional farewell to his players at Chelsea's Cobham training ground on Thursday, an occasion that is understood to have left striker Didier Drogba in tears.

 

And following the shock news, the club released an "open letter to its fans" to thank supporters for their "patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time".

 

The statement said: "It is only right that we explain the reasons behind Jose Mourinho leaving Chelsea and also recognise the immense contribution he has made to the club and to English football. "Early this morning we announced that Chelsea and Jose Mourinho had agreed to part company by mutual consent.

 

"The key phrase here is that there was mutual agreement. Jose did not resign and he was not sacked.

 

"What is clear, though, is we had all reached a point where the relationship between the club and Jose had broken down. This was despite genuine attempts over several months by all parties to resolve certain differences."A

 

And the club praised Mourinho for his achievements at the club, which included winning successive Premier League titles. "Chelsea's long-term football objectives and ambitions remain unchanged, and the appointment of Avram Grant and Steve Clarke is aimed at continuing to achieve those goals.

 

"We also must pay tribute to the great job Jose did for Chelsea. He has been the most successful manager the club has known and he rightly deserves that place in our history." Jose has been instrumental in putting Chelsea where it is today, among the leading clubs in European and world football.

 

"He will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, whether as the guest of Chelsea or as the manager of another club, and he will be given the reception and respect his position in our history deserves."

 

Grant, 52, steps up to the role of Chelsea manager from director of football and will be assisted by Steve Clarke.The Israeli is due to be unveiled at a news conference on Friday.

 

Mourinho, meanwhile, is in line to receive up to £25m in compensation after three years in charge of the Blues, BBC Sport understands. The Portuguese still has another three years to run on his reputed £5.2m-a-year deal. Lawyers for both sides are still working on the severance package that will include confidentiality clauses.

 

According to BBC football correspondent Jonathan Legard, discussions are said to be well advanced as the split was seen coming. Legard has also been told Mourinho has felt a sense of relief since his departure.

 

"He's felt boxed-in from demands on high, he's felt boxed-in from the boardroom in terms of boardroom dealings," said Legard.

 

"And he's felt under pressure from those alongside him in the dugout, namely the man who has succeeded him, Avram Grant.

 

"Chelsea have confirmed that Mourinho's backroom staff have also left the club, including assistant managers Baltemar Brito and Rui Faria. Head opposition scout Andre Villas and goalkeeping coach Silvino Louro have also departed Stamford Bridge.

 

Other stories some news is that management was also very disappointed that despite their success in the EPL/FA, Chelsea still could not overtake the other clubs, especially Man United, Barcelona and Real Madrid on the commercial/marketing side of football.

Edited September 20, 2007 by ron9

[ron9]

Aside from Capello, these names are making the gossip rounds here as the possible future coach of Chelsea:

- Guus Hiddink (which makes sense since Russia is in danger of missing the Euro 2008 after losing 3-0 to England)

- Jurgen Klinsman (a former Spur coaching Chelsea, this will be interesting)

- Frank Rijkaard (I don't see it coming)

- Didier Deschamps (he did play for Chelsea)

- Juande Ramos (Sevilla)

 

Any guesses?

[buntot]

AM SHOCK!

 

 

 

am no chelsea or mourinho fan but what can i say, he is that good... and i thought martin jol would be the first sacking for the sacking. never expected that it would be "the special one." its true that the english league will no longer be the same with him around. the way chelsea is playing is boring but it is winning trophies. if chelsea goes the way real madrid and its revolving coaches a few seasons ago- it would be disastrous forchelsea and to the league.

 

possibly replacements?

 

guus hiddink.-most likely

 

didier deschamps- unlikely.

 

claudio ranieri. hehehehehe

 

if barca's Frank Rijkaard- gets clobbered this season again, then i would love to see Mourinho return to where he learn coaching.

[redshirt]

Ay... At home pala ang United sa sunday against CHE... akala ko ma break narin namin yung unbeaten record nila at home...Jose sa United ka nlng pagkaresign ni Fergie

Edited September 21, 2007 by redshirt

[realitycheck]

I guess the special one is really not that special after all..if he decides to join Barca. It's gonna be exciting I guess..but really not a threat at all. Hala Madrid!!!

[ron9]

if mourinho goes to barca then that would be an promotion of sorts - from translator to head coach

[jaypok]

To All Chelsea fans,

 

the special has gone, no more prem titles anymore

[xycho_g]

ano b tlga reason kng bkt nawala si jose? san n sya mapupunta?...

[redshirt]

ano b tlga reason kng bkt nawala si jose? san n sya mapupunta?...

Sobrang vauge ang mga sagot nya eh. Di nagbibigay ng clue masyado pero he said baka sa DE or sa ITL

[ron9]

he's actually being offered a job as ambassador for the london 2012 olympics

[_eRon_]

Champions League results

 

Group

E Rangers 2-1 Stuttgart

E Barcelona 3-0 Lyon

F Roma 2-0 Dynamo Kyiv

F Sporting 0-1 Man. United

G PSV 2-1 CSKA Moskva

G Fenerbahçe 1-0 Internazionale

H Arsenal 3-0 Sevilla

H Slavia 2-1 Steaua

 

Sunday EPL Results:

 

Aston Villa 2-0 Everton

Blackburn 0-1 Portsmouth

Bolton 1-1 Tottenham

Newcastle 3-1 Westham

*MANUTD 2-0 CHELSEA

 

New boy Carlos Tevez scores with a header before halftime and Louis Saha finishes the match with a penalty at the 89th minute. Michael Obi Mikel was red carded during the 1st half for a harsh challenge and Joe Cole was substituted during the 2nd half after hobbling off the pitch..Nice win by ManUtd, what a time to score twice for the 1st time in the EPL since the start of the season,they are now 2nd at the EPl table behind Arsenal..Go Red Devils!!

[ron9]

i guess what goes around comes around....chelsea were saved by the penalty against liverpool and now were handed an equally dubious penalty against them

[dr_eyes]

Can Chelsea still hold on to the top 4?

[dr_eyes]

Can Chelsea still hold on to the top 4?

[redshirt]

Glory Glory Manchester United! A few weeks ago we were at 10th and now were up to 2nd.