Jose Mourinho on the brink with senior Chelsea players bracing themselves for Special One's exit
The Blues suffered a meltdown against West Ham on Saturday and there is an increasing bemusement within the squad at Mourinho's behaviour
Jordan MansfieldChelsea's senior players are braced for Jose Mourinho’s departure – with many believing it is a case of ‘when not if’ their manager is axed.
Dressing-room sources are adamant that there has been no rebellion against Mourinho - but there is an increasing bemusement at the behaviour of the Portuguese manager.
The Blues boss had already been hit by a £50,000 fine and a suspended one-match stadium ban for criticising referee Bob Madley after the home defeat by Southampton earlier this month.
And his sending-off for confronting ref Jon Moss in Saturday’s defeat at West Hamwas met by shock among players, most of whom privately believed that the red card for Nemanja Matic – which triggered the Blues manager’s latest meltdown – was a justified decision.
While a handful of players have aired grievances about Mourinho, there is an insistence that the manager has not “lost the dressing-room” and a feeling, in the words of one, that “we just want our Jose back”.
Jordan Mansfield
Reuters
...and cuts an isolated figure on the touchlineReuters
Bickering: Mourinho watches on as Moss sends two members of his backroom staff to the standsPA
...before taking a new position himselfYet there is a belief that Mourinho cannot currently lift himself to display his famed motivational powers.
Mourinho has largely been in a dark mood since the 2-2 home draw with Swansea on the opening day of the season, when he turned his fire on club medics Eva Carneiro and Jon Fearn in a flashpoint which led to the departure of the popular Carneiro.
Chelsea have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League season, in 15th place with five defeats in ten matches.
And while owner Roman Abramovich made the unprecedented move of offering his manager a public vote of confidence earlier this month, players have become convinced that Mourinho is set for the exit.
Defeat against Liverpool this Saturday is likely to prove the final straw for a manager who has won three Premier League titles in two spells at Chelsea.
Jose Mourinho's downward spiral
July 16th
Chelsea report for pre-season training, a week later than their rivals.
July 29th
Beat Barcelona on penalties in the final game of their pre-season tour of America, just four days before they are due to play Arsenal at Wembley.
August 2nd
Lose 1-0 to Arsenal in the Community Shield, as Arsene Wenger gets his first win over Mourinho in 13 attempts.
8th August
Chelsea open their season with a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea - but the game is marred by Mourinho’s criticism of club doctor Eva Carneiro and head physiotherapist Jon Fearn, who rushed onto the pitch to treat injured Eden Hazard.
16th August
Chelsea suffer a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at Manchester City. Skipper John Terry is subbed at half-time.
23rd August
John Terry keeps his place in the starting XI for the trip to West Brom - but is sent off after 54 minutes. The Blues escape with a narrow 3-2 win.
29th August
The Blues lose 2-1 at home to Crystal Palace in what is only Mourinho’s second home defeat in 100 league games at Stamford Bridge.
19th September
Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Arsenal marred by Diego Costa’s spat with Gabriel, which saw the Arsenal defender sent off.
22nd September
Eva Carneiro leaves her position of first-team doctor at Chelsea.
29th September
Loses to his former side Porto in the Champions League.
30th September
The FA clear Mourinho of making discriminatory comments towards Carneiro.
3rd October
The Portuguese goes on a seven-minute rant following his side’s 3-1 loss against Southampton, claiming that referees are “afraid” to give Chelsea any decisions. Says he will not walk away from Chelsea and will have to be sacked if they want rid of him. Subs Matic off after 20 minutes.
5th October
The club give Jose Mourinho a vote of confidence following their poor start to the season.
14th October
Slapped with a one-match suspended stadium ban and £50,000 fine following his post-Southampton rant.
15th October
Calls his £50,000 fine and suspended stadium ban a “disgrace” then has another pop at Arsene Wenger at the launch for his new book.
17th October
Leaves last year's player of the season Eden Hazard on the bench, claiming the playmaker needs to work harder to win his place back in the team.
19th October
Reignites feud with TV pundits - “You need to be brave to criticise my history”
20th October
Footage emerges of Mourinho appearing to shove schoolboy on London street. He later denied intimidating the youth.
21st October
Blands referee Damir Skomina “weak and naive” following Chelsea’s goalless draw with Dynamo Kiev - another dig at Arsene Wenger, who used the exact words against Mike Dean but went unpunished by the FA.
24th October
Mourinho sent to the stands during a fiery 2-1 loss at West Ham, which leaves the Blues in 15th place after ten games.
Comments
Post a Comment