An Open Letter to Jose Mourinho From A Chelsea Fan

Mourinho was relieved of his duties just seven months after leading Chelsea to the Premier League crown

Dear Jose,

I’m not ashamed to say that I’ve been a bit more cheerful writing eulogies than having to do this. First off, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for us Chelsea fans. You gave us moments that we will never forget.

It was under your stewardship that we won our first League title in 50 years and you managed to deliver two more before your second untimely exit. You made Chelsea what it is today and no one can ever take that away. You are an absolute legend at Stamford Bridge, and no matter how many managers come through the doors, you will always be our Special One.

It was heart wrenching when you left back in 2007, but yesterday felt 1000 times worse because this truly feels like the end.

I know I speak for every single Chelsea fan when I say that your return – two years ago – marked one of the happiest days of our lives. Despite winning lots of silverware in your absence, Chelsea didn’t feel like Chelsea without you. Stamford Bridge was more alive than it had ever been over these last two and a half seasons.

We lost legends like Frank Lampard and Petr Cech whilst you were in charge. We felt the pain of having to watch our two-time Player of The Year, Juan Mata, wear a Manchester United shirt, but yet we followed you blindly, trusting your every move.

You could not deliver any trophies in your first season back, however, we could tell that it wouldn’t be long before we were the champions of England again. The following campaign, just like you said would happen and just like we all knew would happen, we lifted the Premier League title for the first time since 2010. We also won the Capital One Cup en route.

It was a truly magnificent season. Your transfers were an absolute genius, and there was no doubt that we would come out on top the second after we buried Burnley on the very first day.

We did have a few bad moments, like that 5-3 loss at White Hart Lane and getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Bradford City. We also crashed out of the Champions League in the round of 16, courtesy of Paris Saint-Germain. But through it all, you kept us going and it was really worth it in the end.

You had brought the title back to Stamford Bridge. We had an identity, we had our manager back and we were back to being a real dominant force in England. Life couldn’t have been any better.

Chelsea and Mourinho suffered their worst start to a league season this term

This season, however, things took a turn for the worst. We expected to improve on last season’s performance, but our campaign turned sour on the very first day. We couldn’t get past lowly Swansea City and the Eva issue became a dark cloud which never went away.

Even then we stood by you and our support was unwavering. As bad as things had gotten, all that mattered was that you were going through it with us and I know it hurt you the most. The defeat to Manchester City had a real effect and essentially knocked the life out of us.

We became an enfeebled team, devoid of confidence and swagger. From champions in May to the Premier League’s whipping boys a few months later. That hurt like hell.

At any other club, fans would have already turned on their manager. But that never happened with you; after all you are Jose Mourinho. Although a small percentage of us called for your head, for the most part, we stood behind you through one of the worst seasons we have ever had.

We kept expecting things to get better, instead, we kept falling. Even after a satisfying win against Arsenal, we could not maintain confidence and went back into a slump. But by our manager we stood, chanting your name every chance we got.

Although I knew how passionate we were about our team and manager, I really had no idea until I experienced it first-hand. I made the trip to Stoke City, my very first Chelsea game – which we lost on penalties by the way, and I could not believe the effusive support you received from just a handful of away fans.

Even watching us lose to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, the atmosphere was unreal. The crowd was behind the team and your name was on everyone’s lips. I must have looked in your direction more than at the actual game.

I probably had the most emotional time of my life when I stood up for the Special One during our 2-1 win against Dynamo Kiev at the Bridge. I caught myself wiping a tear, but it was one of absolute joy. I had travelled from very far just to experience this, but I never imagined it being so ecstatic.

We would hit another slump after our win against Norwich, but we remained in your corner. As much as we knew that Roman’s patience wouldn’t hold out, yesterday’s news came as a real shock.

It would seem Mourinho’s sacking has not gone down too well with the Stamford Bridge faithful

It was an absolute rubbish decision by the owner and the board. They fired the best coach we have ever had at Chelsea, and although I understand that we need results more than anything else, I believe that you would have found a way eventually.

You are very much the victim here, you were not given the improvements you needed this season and the players that we actually have did not give everything. They let you down, they let us down, and it’s sad that you’re the one paying for it.

You were more than a manager to us, Jose. You were one of us and it went much deeper than football. We didn’t do this, we didn’t want this; we would take you back in a heartbeat. I don’t know where we go from here as a club, but it doesn’t even feel worth it without you.

I wish you success with your next job, wherever it may be. Roman and his advisors will live to regret their disgusting decision.

We are really gutted to see you go. You gave us everything, but in the end you were turned upon by the very players whom you made great. You were turned upon by the board, but not by the ones who really matter – us, the fans.

We will always love and support you, Jose. We will never, ever forget you. I hope you can be the Happy One again at some other club, as for us, there’s no getting over you.

It’s with tears in my eyes that I say goodbye to the best manager we have ever had. Farewell Jose, we will really miss you.

Yours Truly, A Chelsea Fan