Jose Mourinho's three-year reign at Chelsea came to an abrupt end on Thursday as the Portuguese manager's fraught relationship with the club's Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, finally reached breaking point.
An announcement that will send shockwaves through English and European football came in the early hours of Thursday morning with Chelsea claiming that Mourinho had left "by mutual consent."
A terse statement posted on the London club's website stated: "Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent." Mourinho had reportedly informed Frank Lampard and other senior players that he was on his way out on Wednesday evening and late-night talks at Stamford Bridge concluded with confirmation of his departure.