The love story has come to an end. Jose Mourinho and Chelsea part company for a second time and the heartbreak is real. After the ninth defeat of the season the Special One saw his team ‘betray’ him and leave his neck on the line.
It was supposed to be the moment our season turned around, however Leicester City condemned Chelsea to yet another defeat to leave us hovering above the relegation zone and sealing Mourinho’s fate. The team’s worrying performance stank of lost desire and commitment. The sacking was until then a feared possibility but now has unfortunately come true. In all truth, Mourinho’s reputation at the club, and importantly with the fans gifted him more time than any other would have been given after the god-awful start this campaign. But failure to turn it around and notably, seemingly losing the dressing room, made his departure the only conclusion to a board, comfortable with the drama of a managerial dismissal.
After the Champions League win against Porto one would have thought that finally performances and some sort of attacking flair was returning to upturn Chelsea’s fortunes. However a quick, clinical and signature Leicester attack in the first half dented hopes whilst a stunning individual goal by Riyad Mahrez early in the second half eradicated any smidgen of a Chelsea recovery emphatically. Once again, the Blues were staring at another defeat with 40 mins to play.
A drastic change from Mourinho saw his Captain, John Terry replaced by Cesc Fabregas leaving the Blues with three at the back and effectively six midfielders. It worked, well almost. A spirited fight (left a little too late) presented a equaliser through substitute Loic Remy but it wasn’t enough. Leicester held on to return back to the top of the table while Chelsea remain languished at the bottom end.
As fate would have it, this would be the last game of Mourinho’s second reign at Stamford Bridge. After emergency meetings, the final decision on Thursday afternoon was met with meltdown and disgust from Chelsea fans.
Make no mistake about it, Mourinho HAS has been betrayed by his team here. These are the same championship-winning players last year. Regardless of the way the Portuguese manager sets up his team, the manner of the performances and commitment has been shocking. The players have been incredibly unprofessional and need to have a good look at themselves. Their nonchalant behaviour and approach to games has recorded this season as probably the worst collapse of a championship winning team in the modern game.
Their actions have forced a decision that will bring hostility and anger to Stamford Bridge incomparable to his first departure.
This break up feels different. Previously Abramovich came between Mourinho and Chelsea’s love affair, this time the wedge that has pulled it all apart is built of a 25 man squad minus maybe a few including Willian and Asmir Begovic (who have clearly given their all to the cause).
Mourinho will walk away with a bruised reputation and will most likely, and easily, walk into another high-profile job. This will be a ugly blip in a glistening career. These Chelsea players however have a damaged reputation. They must prove that they are better than they have been displaying but in doing so will prove their damning manager correct. They played for themselves, not him, not the club. And this is a frightening concern. There are bad apples afoot and they should have been replaced, rather than doing so to one of the greatest managers to ever grace the game.
I would like to add, as a Chelsea fan first and foremost, thank you Jose! I know you may never read this but, thank you for everything; your passion, commitment, fight, and desire. Thank you for bleeding blue and understanding what it means to do so. You have gifted myself and every Chelsea fan fantastic moments and memories for which we will be forever treasure and be eternally grateful. You are the best we have ever had and may ever have. Lastly I apologise for my club’s decision and can only wish you continued greatness. Thank you Jose!
The Blue Daze 