For a manager so often associated with the theatrical, José Mourinho's exit from the Chelsea FC stage was nicely timed. With his squad gathered in a west London cinema for a screening of the club's new documentary 'Blue Revolution', Mourinho let it be known to his players by text message that he had decided to leave the club.
His differences with owner Roman Abramovich were well known. The Russian billionaire's desire to see a free-flowing attacking style contrasted with the Portuguese coach's pragmatism. Mourinho felt undermined by the appointment of Avraham Grant as sporting director in June and Frank Arnesen as head of scouting and youth development before that. Being asked to shoehorn Abramovich buys Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko into his side was not well received. Something had to give.
The fact Mourinho and Abramovich worked together as long they did was perhaps more of a surprise than Mourinho's sudden departure. Stories of rifts and doubts over the manager's future filled the back pages of the British press last season as Manchester United FC deposed Chelsea as champions. Victory in the FA Cup was small consolation after Chelsea had lost to Liverpool FC in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the second time in three years. When Chelsea stumbled out of the blocks this term, the pressure mounted. A 1-1 draw at home to Rosenborg BK in front of just 24,000 proved the final straw.
The sombre mood at Stamford Bridge last Tuesday contrasted sharply with the defiance with which Mourinho announced himself to English football four years ago. Having led his FC Porto side to victory in the UEFA Cup the previous season, he was about to go one better in the UEFA Champions League and not even the might of Manchester United FC could stand in his way. Costinha's late strike at Old Trafford fired FC Porto into the quarter-finals - Mourinho marched down the tunnel with fingers raised in defiance to the Manchester crowd. His appointment as Chelsea manager after winning the UEFA Champions League in May 2004 made sure the rivalry between the two teams, and notably with United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, would grow as Chelsea claimed the Premier League title in each of Mourinho's first two seasons at Stamford Bridge. The self-proclaimed "Special One" had proven as good as his word.
Mourinho may have had Abramovich's millions behind him, but it was not money alone that brought Chelsea success. His tactical astuteness, ability to put the team above individuals and handling of the media to shield his players were vital. During his three years at the helm he transformed Chelsea from an entertaining side more suited to the vagaries of cup competitions to one with sufficient steel and consistency to win the title. Under Mourinho Chelsea were crowned English champions for the first time in 50 years, as well as winning every domestic trophy on offer. But it was not enough for Abramovich. The Russian owner covets the UEFA Champions League and in that competition Mourinho fared no better than his predecessor Claudio Ranieri, two semi-final defeats the sum of his European achievements in London.
In the end it has method as much as results that did for Mourinho. The man himself may exude bags of style and charisma, but his Chelsea team did not and that fact ultimately proved decisive. Few would have expected Mourinho to be the first Premier League manager to part company with his club this season, but it is unlikely he will be out of a job for long. Do not bet against Mourinho proving his point at Stamford Bridge at the helm of another English club some time soon. For Chelsea the most pressing concern is Sunday's trip to Manchester United of all places. It is a baptism of fire for Grant who has been named as Mourinho's successor and will lead the side out for the first time at Old Trafford. The 52-year-old former Israel coach arrived at Chelsea following a spell as director of football at Portsmouth FC. He has never coached outside Israel before but is a close friend of the Chelsea owner. He takes charge in extraordinary circumstances. He will have to achieve something equally extraordinary to eclipse the success of the Special One.
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