Reaction to Mourinho's exit

The news of Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea has been met with disbelief within and outside the football fraternity.

The 'Special One' helped Chelsea win two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup during his spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Now one of the finest managers in the game finds himself unemployed.

Below is a pick of the reaction to the news:

"The Prime Minister is a football fan and somebody who enjoys watching Premier League games, so he knows Mourinho has a fantastic record of success.

"He's made a significant contribution to British football in a short period of time and he's also one of the great characters of the game."
A spokesperson for PM Gordon Brown

"Once you take away the authority the manager has in signing players, you're on a slippery slope.

"What I would say about Mourinho is his record is with underachieving players and when Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack came in, it disturbed the balance.

"They've never looked as fluid and that's because the manager probably did not himself believe that is the way they should be playing."
Former England boss Graham Taylor

"I think that half the team will have been affected badly and it's going to be hard to get that team spirit that Jose managed to manufacture."
Former Chelsea forward Gavin Peacock

"I'm absolutely astounded at what's happened.

"Winning football matches is what the game's about and he is a winning manager who puts a winning mentality in players' heads and they go and win things."
Former Chelsea captain Ray Wilkins

"The man is a superb coach. He'll be hugely missed and took Chelsea to a level they could have dreamed of a few years ago. He will be hugely missed."
Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin

"Abramovich might be a wealthy honest guy. But when it comes to football, he knows nothing. He owes Mourinho for what he has done to the club and bring them to where they are right now. He is irreplaceable and a big loss to Chelsea."
Demonfire FC Manager Jose Hafizho