sport football 2321555 ----- # Jose Mourinho quits Chelsea ![Jose Mourinho quits Chelsea][1] Sudden impact: Jose Mourinho exits Chelsea after three years By David Bond 12:01AM BST 20 Sep 2007 [Comments][2] Jose Mourinho last night sensationally resigned at Chelsea following a major row with owner Roman Abramovich over the future direction of the club. * ** [In pics: Mourinho's Chelsea years (2004-07)][3] ** * ** [Mourinho's love affair finally ends][4] ** * ** [ Stamford Bridge job now a poisoned chalice][5] ** * ** [Pressure to deliver the grand design][6] ** The combustible Portuguese manager texted captain John Terry yesterday telling him he was quitting. His decision follows the club's disappointing 1-1 Champions League draw [against Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.][7] Abramovich and senior Chelsea figures, including the chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Peter Kenyon, were last night understood to have been completely in the dark over Mourinho's departure. But it was reported last night that the Russian billionaire had held crisis talks yesterday with director Eugene Tenenbaum and new director of football Avram Grant. ## Related Articles * [Andrei Shevchenko rescues Chelsea][8] 19 Sep 2007 * [Attenborough the truest of Blues][9] 20 Sep 2007 * [Chelsea's reality Cech against Rosenborg][10] 20 Sep 2007 * [Special One's love affair with Chelsea finally ends in bad case of the blues][11] 20 Sep 2007 * [Stamford Bridge job now a poisoned chalice][12] 20 Sep 2007 * [Pressure to deliver the grand design][13] 20 Sep 2007 Abramovich wanted to know why Mourinho's side were unable to see off the Norwegian champions at home and, perhaps more pointedly, why his expensively assembled team were struggling to score goals and failing to produce the stylish football he craves. Questions were also asked about the club's woeful crowd on Tuesday night. Just 24,793 people turned up to watch, Chelsea's lowest attendance since the Champions League tie against Slovakian side Zilina in 2003. Despite Abramovich's anger at the latest slump in Chelsea's fortunes, sources insisted last night that there was no question of Mourinho being fired. However, after three controversial and hugely entertaining years in charge at Chelsea, it looks like Mourinho will jump before he is pushed. * ** [Chelsea's reality Cech against Rosenborg][14] ** * ** [Andrew Baker: Attenborough the truest of Blues][15] ** * ** [Michael Henderson: Deirdre helps the stars][16] ** Chelsea have made their worst start to a Premier League campaign since 2001, losing away to Aston Villa on Sept 2 and drawing at home with Blackburn Rovers on Sunday. The build-up to Tuesday's game against Rosenborg was then completely overshadowed by Mourinho's bizarre comments about eggs and omelettes - widely interpreted as a critique of the depth of his squad, which has again been beset by injuries to key players this season. His remarks had been prompted by Kenyon's earlier reflections on Abramovich's desire to see his team win with "style". In an interview for a new documentary on the club, Blue Revolution, due to be released today, Kenyon piled extra pressure on Mourinho by adding that Chelsea would only be considered a truly great club when they win the Champions League twice in 10 years. Mourinho and Abramovich appeared to have patched up their relationship after the breakdown, in relations last season which almost resulted in his departure. But, despite surrendering the Premiership title to Manchester United last season and failing again in Europe, the two men called a truce after Mourinho backed down. * ** [In pics: Champions League][17] ** * ** [Chelsea teampage][18] ** Mourinho even attempted to make his side play more entertaining football, abandoning his one man attack for an exciting three pronged front line featuing new winger Florent Malouda. It is not clear whether Mourinho will receive any compensation for the three years remaining on his £5million-a-year contract. [X][19] Share & bookmark Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! Buzz [What are these?][20] * Share: [Share][19] [ ][21] [ ][22] [Tweet][23] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2321555/Jose-Mourinho-quits- Chelsea.html Telegraph ## [Football][24] * ### [Sport »][25] ### [Live Premier League table][26] ### [Live Premier League scores][27] [![FA Cup final 2011: Manchester City v Stoke City in pictures][28] ][29] ### [Man City end trophy drought][29] **In pics:** best of the action from the FA Cup final between Manchester City and Stoke at Wembley. [![][30]][31] ### [Follow us on Twitter][31] External Links * ### [Premier League][32] [X][19] Share & bookmark Delicious Facebook Google Messenger Reddit Twitter Digg Fark LinkedIn Google Buzz StumbleUpon Y! 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