‘Discord’ with players led to Jose’s sacking, say Chelsea

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo said Jose Mourinho was sacked due to a “palpable discord” between the manager and the players.

Emenalo also disputed Mourinho’s allegation, made in the wake of the 2-1 defeat to Leicester on Monday, that his players had “betrayed” his pre-match instructions.

Mourinho’s second spell as Blues boss ended on Thursday afternoon, just 48 hours before the club’s next game with Sunderland.

Emenalo told Chelsea TV the club were “working vigorously” on Mourinho’s successor and hoped to make an appointment “as soon as possible”, but insisted there was no rush to bring someone in before the weekend.

In explaining the decision to sack Mourinho, Emenalo said: “While 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 is obviously said to be palpable discord between manager and players and we feel it was time to act.

“The owner [Roman Abramovich] was forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club.

“Chelsea, one of the biggest clubs in the world, is one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, and that’s not good enough. This club is in trouble and something needed to be done.”

Mourinho criticised his defenders for not carrying out his instructions in the Leicester defeat, which left the Blues 16th in the Premier League.

But Emenalo insisted the players were not to blame for the club’s slump and were working hard to turn results around.

He said: “This is essentially the same group of players that won the League and the League Cup last season.

“They did it in style and by showing commitment. They played to instruction and adhered to everything the manager asked them to do.

“It’s very easy to make that kind of inference but it’s not one that the club accepts. The players now have a responsibility to go out and prove everybody wrong and show a certain level of commitment to get the club up the league table. That’s what I believe they’ve been trying to do.”

On Mourinho’s successor, Emenalo added: “We’re a big club that have quality coaches embedded within the club.

“I think we will be okay for Saturday – we will have competent people come up and help with preparation for the game.

“The club is working vigorously to make sure the situation is taken care of as soon as possible.”