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After Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea following a torrid five months that sees he club in 16th place, Chelsea’s technical director Michael Emenalo has come out and revealed why Mourinho was let go. The Blues are only one point above the relegation zone despite winning the title last season with just three losses.
A ninth defeat in the Premier League this season, a 2-1 loss to Leicester City on Monday night, was the final straw for the club. It is understood that soon after a Christmas lunch at the club that was attended by staff and players, Mourinho was called to a meeting with Bruce Buck and Eugene Tenenbaum – the chairman and director of Chelsea.
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That meeting lasted 10 minutes where the club’s most successful manager was told his services were no longer required.
Although the club had backed the Portuguese boss earlier in the season, Mourinho had accused the players of “betraying” him after the loss to the Foxes and that was not taken well. It was a sign that he had lost the dressing room.
Results were not good and something needed to be done: Emenalo
The club’s technical director Michael Emenalo spoke on Chelsea TV and said that the club’s interests had to be protected. He admitted the club was in trouble considering their current position and the poor results.
“The new contract signifies that what happened today was not a premeditated decision,” Emenalo said. “It was a decision taken to protect the interests of the club.
“While there is huge sentiment for the individual, who has done so much for the club, the fact remains Chelsea football club is in trouble. The results have not been good.
“There obviously seemed to be a palpable discord between manager and players and we feel it was time to act. The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club. We are one point above relegation and that’s not good enough. Any fan can understand this club is in trouble and something needed to be done.”
Chelsea players are not to blame according to club’s technical director
Emenalo was also of the opinion that the players were not to blame for Chelsea’s current predicament and blamed only Mourinho.
“This is essentially the same group of players who won the league and the League Cup last season. They did it in style, by showing commitment, by sweating tears and blood for the club. They played to instruction, they 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 club accepts.
“We know now that the players have a responsibility to prove everyone wrong and to show a level of commitment to the decision that’s been made tonight to try to get the club up the table. That’s what they have to do, that’s what they’re supposed to do and I believe that’s what they’ve been trying to do.”
Mourinho reportedly stayed at the training ground for a couple of hours to pack his things and bid his farewells to the staff. His assistants Rui Faria and Silvino Louro have also left Chelsea after Mourinho’s sacking.
