Premier League champions Chelsea have sacked manager Jos? Mourinho seven months after he led to the league title having finished eight points clear of nearest challengers Manchester City in addition to the league cup he won in March.
Mourinho, 52, took charge of the team in June 2013 in what was his second spell at the club but has therefore paid for an indifferent start to the season with his job despite signing a new four-year contract in August.
Chelsea have lost nine of the 16 league games played so far and just one point above the relegation zone with 15 points in 16th place. The final nail in his coffin was Monday?s 2-1 loss to Premier League leaders Leicester City.
Already established names like Pep Guardiola, Brendan Rodgers, Guus Hiddink and Juande Ramos have all been linked to the club as replacement for the former Real Madrid, FC Porto and Inter Milan manager.
This is coming less than 72 hours after the Portuguese complained his players betrayed him with their away loss to Bournemouth on Monday. The 52-year-old Portuguese had been in his second spell at the club, taking charge in June 2013.
Chelsea finished eight points clear last season and won the League Cup, but have lost nine of their 16 league games so far and are 16th in the table, one point above the relegation places.
Mourinho?s final match was Monday?s 2-1 defeat at leaders Leicester City.
He guided Porto and Inter Milan to Champions League glory in 2004 and 2010 respectively, then led Real Madrid to the Spanish La Liga title in 2012.
At 52, he is still some way from retirement age, but he has expressed a wish to coach the English and Portuguese national sides at some stage in his career.
In fact, he claimed he turned down the chance to become England boss when Steve McClaren was sacked in 2007.
Mourinho has a proven track record of bringing success over the short-term but doubts will remain over his ability to build a dynasty.
