Bye bye Mourinho

GUERNSEY-BASED Chelsea fans have no intention of leading a revolt in the wake of the exit of the self-proclaimed 'Special One'. Combustible, unpredictable and impulsive manager Jose Mourinho was never built to make a quiet exit, but few predicted he would depart his top job with the Premier League season still in its infancy.

The Guernsey Chelsea Supporters Club have a 40-strong membership and despite the departure met up, as usual, at their adopted home at Pieces Bar on Sunday to watch them play Manchester United.

'We are all shocked and stunned - even Man U and Liverpool fans were gobsmacked. English football has lost its most charismatic character,' said supporters club chairman and season ticket holder Neil Stanford.

He believes there has always been pressure from above from Chelsea owner and multi billionaire Roman Abramovich.

'Mourinho was the type of guy who wanted to have control and a lot of things he was not allowed to do himself. I don't think he should have gone but think he got fed up and I don't think we will ever get the full story,' he said.

'But football goes on and teams go on and I'm fully expecting there to be quite a hostile atmosphere at the next home game.'

Guernsey resident Dougie Moore, 64, a season ticket holder at Stamford Bridge for five years, heard the news at 6am before heading to work.

'It was a bit of a shock - he has done well for us and has put trophies in the cabinet. You have to give him his credit but no man is bigger than the club,' he said.

'But I was really annoyed over the last few years with the Abramovich-Mourinho saga going on. I hope the new manager, Avram Grant, is a success and the players all pull together - they get paid enough.'

Former Chelsea player Pat Nevin told BBC 5 Live: 'Avram Grant is going to be as welcome as Camilla at Diana's memorial.'

Moore, who has no plans to wave the white flag yet, described Nevin's comments as 'a bit low' and suggested he was only 'offending other people'.

Pieces Bar licensee Steve Snell, an ardent Blues fan, said: 'The initial reaction was a bit of surprise although it's been bubbling over for a little while. There has obviously been a rift between Mourinho and Abramovich and their personalities have clashed - they are both strong personalities.'

'We have to make sure now Abramovich does not go anywhere or it will be a right old state. God knows what is going to happen,' he said.

'I still think the Premiership will be a close call between the top four although Abramovich's main goal is to win the Champions League.'

Guernsey Press sports editor Rob Batiste is also a lifetime Blues' fan and is relieved Mourinho has finally gone.

'To be honest, I was fed up with the way he was carrying on last season, moaning about everything and deflecting the blame from himself at every opportunity.

'As charismatic as he was and as successful as he was, I don't think he could have taken the team further. He was too defensive minded and clearly doesn't want to work with players with as big an image as himself.

'I think the board have done the right thing by pushing him out.

'He fancied himself as being bigger than the club and he was always going to lose out to Roman who has done far more for the club. He saved the club from going bust and supporters have short memories.

'The protesters outside the Bridge looked pathetic.'

* The local supporters club has a new website via web.mac.com/guernseyblue/iWeb/Chelsea. Anybody wanting further info can visit it or call Stanford on 07781 100251 or treasurer John Hughes on 07781 105790.