Mourinho stunned football by parting company with Chelsea late on Wednesday, and has been replaced by Avram Grant.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."

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.

Courtesy: BBC News 

Published in : The News, Sports

Keywords : News, Sports, Chelsea say Mourinho had to leave

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