“Palpable Discord” With Players Caused Mourinho’s Sack

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo insists sacking Jose Mourinho was “a very tough decision for the good of the club” and confirmed that “palpable discord” had developed between the Portuguese and his underperforming squad.

In a statement released on the club’s official website on Thursday, the Premier League champions revealed they had parted company with Mourinho for the second time by mutual consent after two days of intense board meetings led by owner Roman Abramovich.

Defeat to Leicester City on Monday left Chelsea languishing in 16th in the Premier League table, only a point above the relegation zone, with Mourinho accusing his players of betraying his work on the pitch and suggesting that they overachieved in winning the title last season.

The decision comes only five months into the new four-year contract that Mourinho signed in August, and Emenalo insists it was not one that Abramovich and his fellow board members have taken lightly.

“That contract clearly signifies that what happened today was not a premeditated decision,” Emenalo told ChelseaTV. “It was a decision taken to protect the interests of the club. Whilst there is huge sentiment for the individual who has done so much for the club, the fact of the matter remains that Chelsea Football Club is in trouble.

“The results are not good. There obviously seems to be a palpable discord between manager and players and we felt it was time to act.

“The owner has been forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club. Make no mistake about it: Chelsea Football Club, one of the biggest in the world, is one point above relegation in the English Premier League. That’s not good enough.

“Anybody or any fan or even those who have any affiliation to the club can understand that this club is in trouble, and something needed to be done.”

Mourinho’s enduring hero status at Stamford Bridge means the Chelsea players could be in for a rough reception when they face Sunderland on Saturday, but Emenalo is adamant that there is no reason to doubt the levels of commitment within the squad.