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Jose Mourinho sacked: Chelsea leave dig at manager in statement with 'talented squad not reaching potential' jibe

The Portuguese was sacked on Thursday with the club just one point above the relegation zone

Thursday 17 December 2015 16:31 GMT

A downbeat Jose Mourinho during a recent press conference (GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea have left a final dig at Jose Mourinho in their statement confirming his departure, saying that "the club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential".

During the Blues woeful season there had been constant reports of Mourinho falling out with his players, who had performed terribly under his management this term.

The 52-year-old Portuguese returned to Stamford Bridge for a second stint in charge in 2013 and last season led them to the title and a League Cup triumph.

Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by surprise leaders Leicester City on Monday, their ninth defeat in 16 league matches.

Ahead of this weekend's home game with Sunderland, they have managed only 15 points during their worst start to a season since being relegated in 1978/79.

Media speculation had been mounting about Mourinho's position and it reached a crescendo after Monday's defeat when he accused some of the players of "betraying his work".

Here is Chelsea's statement in full:

Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent.

All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.

His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history. But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.

Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

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1/14Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Antonio Conte

The current Italy manager is Chelsea's preferred target should they dismiss Mourinho, as revealed by the Independent at the start of December. He could choose to combine his role with the Italian national team should the call come from Stamford Bridge, and he has a proven pedigree after leading Juventus back to the top of Serie A following their relegation. Could be available full-time next summer if he leaves his post with Italy after Euro 2016.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Pep Guardiola

Reports have suggested that the current Bayern Munich manager would be Chelsea's favoured choice to replace Mourinho permanently, but convincing the former Barcelona coach to leave the Allianz Arena midway through the season would appear impossible. However, employing him at the end of the campaign could be a realistic option considering the Spaniard will be out of contract in the summer. Although there are rumours he is on the verge of signing a new deal.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Carlo Ancelotti

Has already managed Chelsea, during which time he led them to the Double in the 2009/10 season. There are few coaches with such an impressive track-record, but the fact he was shamefully sacked in the tunnel at Goodison Park could make the situation complicated. Would he want to return to a club that treated his with so little respect? The Italian has indicated he would prefer a return to management next season in the Premier League. Has said on more than one occasion that he doesn't like taking jobs midway through a season, while he is reported to have already agreed in principle to take over from Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Brendan Rodgers

His availability makes Rodgers a viable option, although whether the former Liverpool manager matches the calibre of coach that Chelsea would want to employ is debatable. But the Northern Irishman can boast of nearly taking Liverpool to the title and few others in the game would be so desperate to prove themselves. Also has ties with the club having worked under Mourinho during the Special One's first spell at Chelsea.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Diego Simeone

The Atletico Madrid manager is probably the most exciting option out there. Having led Madrid's second club out of the shadow of Real to the title in 2013/14, the Argentinian proved his combative intense style could yield results. Convincing him to leave his current post could be tricky though, with Simeone agreeing a contract until 2020 earlier this year. Chelsea would have to pay around £15m to Atletico in compensation to buy him out of his contract.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Ronald Koeman

The former Netherlands international has impressed since coming to the Premier League. Having joined Southampton at a time most predicted would be tough for the club after numerous high-profile departures, Koeman led the club to a seventh placed finish thanks to some astute buys and exciting football.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Laurent Blanc

The former France manager could have done little more at PSG since taking over at the mega-rich club, winning the league for the last two-years running and making the French side a force in the Champions League. Among the notable European scalps in recent years was the defeat of Chelsea at the Round of 16 stage in last season's competition, and, providing he stays in Paris, they will meet at the same stage of this year's tournament for the third year running.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

John Terry

Captain. Leader. Legend. Manager? Few at Chelsea can claim to command as much respect as their long-term skipper. Whether he would want to step into the manager role is unclear, but as a short-term option until the end of the season, it could be the smoothest transition.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Gianfranco Zola

Zola, who made 312 appearances and scored 80 goals for Chelsea after signing from Parma in 1996, is currently manager of Al Arabi in Qatar. He has signalled his ambition is to one day return to Stamford Bridge as manager.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Fabio Capello

Former England manager Fabio Capello has been out of work since being dropped by Russia over the summer. He's said is open to taking over at Stamford Bridge, but how well the Italian would be received after his failures with the national team is unclear.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Guus Hiddink

Hiddink had a successful short stint as Chelsea manager in 2009 which saw the club win the FA Cup. The Dutchman was popular among fans and appears a sensible short-term choice. However, his most recent gig, as Netherlands manager, didn't go well. After overseeing a few poor results after replacing Louis van Gaal, he left his post and the national side failed to qualify for next summer's European Championships. Has been made the bookies' favourite.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

David Moyes

The former Manchester United manager was sacked by Real Sociedad at the start of November after making a poor start to the La Liga season. Moyes has since appeared on TV and confirmed that he has had numerous offers to return to management in England, and that he is seeking his next job. His availability could make him a possible target through to the end of the season.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Juande Ramos

The Spaniard will be an unpopular choice after his disastrous spell in charge of Tottenham Hotspur between 2007 and 2008 that lasted just 54 matches. He led Spurs to the League Cup but started the next season with just two points from his first eight matches leading to the appointment of Harry Redknapp.

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Who could replace Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager?

Avram Grant

Another former Chelsea interim manager, the Israeli led the Blues to the Champions League final in 2008 after taking over after the first time Mourinho was sacked. Has had spells across Europe since but never replicated that success and was never the most popular figure amongst the Chelsea support.

The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea. His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's worst post-match interviews in 2015

The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.

There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made.

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