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| Mourinho |
"His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history," Chelsea said in a statement.
"But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways."
Chelsea said that Mourinho, 52, had left "on good terms", two years after returning to the club following spells at Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
The outspoken Portuguese led Chelsea to a Premier League and League Cup double last season, but they are currently one point above the relegation zone after nine defeats in 16 games.
Mourinho was pictured on Sky Sports News being driven out of Chelsea's training ground in a black car, with his hood pulled down over his face.
He is reported to have been informed of his fate in a meeting with club officials on Thursday afternoon, following two days of talks at boardroom level.
Mourinho was previously sacked by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in 2007, after a richly successful three-year spell in which he won two Premier League titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup.
Chelsea said that Mourinho "will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea" and "will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge".
Juande Ramos, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla manager, and Guus Hiddink have been cited as potential short-term replacements, Dutchman Hiddink having previously fulfilled the role in 2009.
Atletico Madrid's Diego Simeone and Italy coach Antonio Conte are reported to be possible long-term successors, along with longstanding target Pep Guardiola, the Bayern Munich coach, and ex-Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti.
"The club's focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential," the Chelsea statement added. "There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made."
Chelsea have cancelled Friday's scheduled press conference, when Mourinho had been due to address the media ahead of Saturday's home game with Sunderland.
'Betrayed'
In his final interview as Chelsea manager, filmed before his departure was announced and due to be broadcast on BT Sport later on Thursday, Mourinho said the team's travails had been a useful experience.
"As a process, this is an amazing learning process," he said. "This period was important for me. I'm better than I thought."
In what proved to be his last game, Chelsea were beaten 2-1 at Leicester City on Monday – a club managed by Claudio Ranieri, who he replaced at Stamford Bridge when he first arrived in England in 2004.
Mourinho was scathing in his assessment of his players' display afterwards, saying: "I feel like my work was betrayed."
He also said that Chelsea could no longer achieve the top-four finish necessary to qualify for next season's Champions League. They currently trail fourth-place Manchester United by 14 points.
Cesc Fabregas was the first Chelsea player to pay tribute to Mourinho, tweeting: "Thank you for all you have done for me. I owe you a lot and we will all miss you.
"Good luck in the future and I know you will be back soon."
With Chelsea having swept to the title by eight points last season, their collapse has baffled pundits.
As well as floundering in the league, they were knocked out of the League Cup on penalties by Stoke City, although they have reached the Champions League last 16, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain.
Things went awry from the off, with Chelsea losing to Arsenal in the Community Shield and then drawing 2-2 at home to Swansea City on the season's opening day.
That game was overshadowed by Mourinho's criticism of his medical staff for running on to treat Eden Hazard, which temporarily left his team down to nine men.
Team doctor Eva Carneiro left the club in September and is now seeking a claim for constructive dismissal.
Chelsea then lost 3-0 at Manchester City and have also lost to Crystal Palace, Everton, Southampton, West Ham United, Liverpool, Stoke and promoted side Bournemouth.
Jose Mourinho factfile
Factfile on Jose Mourinho, who was sacked as Chelsea manager for the second time in his career on Thursday:
Name: Jose Mario dos Santos Mourinho Felix
Age: 52
Date of birth: January 26, 1963
Place of birth: Setubal, Portugal
Playing career
Position: central midfielder
Teams: Rio Ave (POR/1980-1982), Belenenses (POR/1982-1983), Sesimbra (POR/1983-1985), Comerico e Industria (POR/1985-1987)
Managerial career
Teams: Benfica (POR/2000), Uniao de Leiria (POR/2001-2002), Porto (POR/2002-2004), Chelsea (ENG/2004-2007), Inter Milan (ITA/2008-2010), Real Madrid (ESP/2010-2013), Chelsea (ENG/2013-2015)
Managerial honours
Porto
Primeira Liga (2): 2002–03, 2003–04
Taca de Portugal (1): 2002–03
Supertaca Candido de Oliveira (1): 2003
Uefa Champions League (1): 2003–04
Uefa Cup (1): 2002–03
Chelsea
Premier League (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014-15
FA Cup (1): 2006–07
League Cup (3): 2004–05, 2006–07, 2014-15
Community Shield (1): 2005
Inter Milan
Serie A (2): 2008–09, 2009–10
Coppa Italia (1): 2009–10
Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2008
Uefa Champions League (1): 2009–10
Real Madrid
La Liga (1): 2011–12
Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11
Supercopa de Espana (1): 2012
Individual
Fifa World Coach of the Year: 2010
Primeira Liga Manager of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04
Premier League Manager of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2014-15
Serie A Manager of the Year: 2008–09, 2009–10
Uefa Manager of the Year: 2002–03, 2003–04
BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coach Award: 2005
Other
Officer of the Order of Infante Dom Henrique: 2006
Source.supersport.com
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