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Reports claim to have uncovered further details regarding Jose Mourinho’s sacking as Chelsea FC manager.
Mourinho was dismissed on Thursday afternoon, days after Chelsea slumped to their ninth Premier League defeat against Leicester City. The decision angered many Blues fans, who felt that the players had engineered his departure even though they were the ones largely responsible for the poor form.
While it is believed that Guus Hiddink was sounded out prior to the announcement, which was communicated internally to the boss at 2pm, these have been the few details that have so far been known. Now, The Telegraph brings fresh particulars to the proceedings.
The paper claims that Mourinho had in fact sought a visit from owner Roman Abramovich, in the hope that a pep talk from him would have inspired the players into action. Abramovich did indeed appear at Cobham, although this was only after the Portuguese tactician was dismissed.
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More interestingly, despite the club trying to project an image of a fairly respectful divorce, Mourinho did not meet any of the senior figures during his last hours at Cobham.
"After his sacking, Mourinho returned to Cobham at 10.30am on Friday to collect his personal possessions from his office and was not spoken to in person by any of the key figures at the club, including Abramovich and technical director Michael Emenalo.Sources close to Mourinho said that he has had no contact from those two or others, including director Marina Granovskaia, chairman Bruce Buck and club secretary David Barnard."
Should this be true, this is quite shameful on behalf of the Chelsea hierarchy. Given the service that Mourinho has provided this club throughout the years, you would have expected that Abramovich would make an appearance to, at the very least, offer his thanks.
With these details emerging, it is no wonder that Mourinho’s statement was decidedly pointed. To treat a man who has offered so much to the cause, no matter how the last few months have turned out, in such a expendable manner is disgraceful.
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Fortunately, upon his return on Friday, it appears as though some of those who mattered most did indeed show their appreciation.
"After leaving that afternoon, Mourinho spoke to his players by phone. When he returned at 10.30am the following day they were already training. He cleared his office of personal items and left all his initialled training kit in the corridor outside his door. He then shook the hand or hugged all members of staff at Cobham, some of whom were in tears, but left without seeing any of the club hierarchy."
The Special One has since indicated his desire to jump straight back into work and he will undoubtedly find many suitors. Reports claim that he has already been approached, and has rebuffed, AS Roma as he is keen to remain in the Premier League.
Many have read his statement as a direct attempt to signal his interest in the Manchester United job. With Louis Van Gaal under immense pressure and his team losing at home to Norwich City on Saturday, the United board may take this sudden opportunity to afford Mourinho his supposed dream post.
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Frankly, with this story, no-one can blame him if he takes glee in leading the Old Trafford-based club to Premier League glory.