Chelsea Football Club have parted ways with manager Jose Mourinho just seven months after he lead the side to his third English Premier League trophy.
The man once known as ‘the special one' has managed his last game at the club after being removed from his post for the second time by Roman Abromovic and the Chelsea board.
Opinions within the Chelsea fan-base are split almost right down the middle as some agree with the Chelsea board that he had lost the playing squad and could not turn the side around.
The other half cannot believe that the man who has taken them to three premiership titles, including last year's record points haul of 95.
He also won an FA Cup, a Community Shield and three league cups over his two spells at the London club.
The form reversal suffered by a side that are defending EPL champions has been nothing short of horrible.
Last season, Chelsea romped their way to the title, demolishing everyone and anything in their path.
They finished with a record 95 points, topping second place Man City by eight points.
Chelsea managed 26 wins, six draws and only the three losses all season, scoring 73 goals in the process, while only conceding 32.
After just 16 fixtures in 2015/16 they have already conceded 26 goals, just six less than they did in 38 fixtures last season.
They've also suffered NINE losses, three times as many as last season.
Ridiculously the defending champions sit just one point outside the relegation zone.
At the same stage last season, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas had already taken Chelsea to an unassailable lead atop the EPL table.
Having signed Barcelona superstar Pedro during the transfer window, one could argue that Chelsea are actually stronger this season than they were the last.
Despite a long list of “star” players “performing” well below their outstanding best, Jose Mourinho was the man to lose his job due to the horrible form.
The question is, will Mourinho be remembered by Chelsea fans as the man who lead the club to unparalleled success, or will he be remembered as a man who could spend big, capture quick trophies, but was unable to build a dynasty?
This is man who, in 2004/05 took the London club to their first EPL title in 50 years.
The club's wait for their next EPL title was only 12 months, as Mourinho's side became the first in Chelsea's history to go back-to-back.
After his dismissal as Chelsea boss, the club would not win another title until 2009/10 as Carlo Ancelotti oversaw a famous EPL/FA Cup double.
Chelsea fans, who became accustomed to success, saw more managers come and go than they did trophies, until the rebranded ‘Happy One' returned “home” to the Bridge.
Jose oversaw one of the greatest recruitment sprees in English football history as the club sign Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and brought club legend Didier Drogba back.
Although there have been far bigger names signed, and in bigger numbers, Mourinho plugged the two weaknesses in Chelsea's squad, and saw his side set an unmatchable standard throughout an entire season.
They lead the competition from the opening day and were not topped all season. The relative ease in which Chelsea were able to roll over opponents became a joy to watch for fans of the club.
It was expected that Chelsea would be right there or there abouts come the end of 2015/16.
Fast forward twelve months and nothing could be further from the truth.
The chances of Chelsea retaining their EPL crown are zero, while a champion's league spots looks all but gone. With all honesty, they'll be looking at a middle table finish, or perhaps a run at a Europa league spot at best.
Although the club lost Drogba and goalkeeping legend Petre Cech, neither man was an integral part of the premiership winning season. Pedros's signing, as well as the signings of Rahman and Kenedy gave the squad a more youthful, and in all honesty, stronger look.
Unfortunately Chelsea's season seemed to unravel in very strange circumstances.
Jose Mourinho was very critical of club doctor Eva Carneiro's eagerness to treat players early in the season. For whatever reason, Carneiro was relieved of her duties at the club, and from there it was all downhill.
Although I doubt the act of removing Eva itself had very little with the form reversal, the way Jose handled the situation did not fit in with his usual calm and calculating manner of handling club affairs.
Mourinho has always been quick to fire barbs at opposition players and management, and referees were often the subject of plenty of quick witted insults, however he had always backed everyone in his club.
Reports of strange behaviour at club training have hit the media, and the pressure seemed to finally get to the multiple time manager of the year when he accused his players of betraying his efforts with their performances.
Although some Chelsea fans are unhappy with the sacking, most have come to accept that Roman and co were left with little choice.
So, just seven months after taking the club to a record setting title win, and after signing a big money, multiple year contract extension, Jose Mourinho is no longer Chelsea manager.
Despite the horror season, Mourinho, in my view, should be remembered as THE best manager to ever lead the club.
Sure he had plenty of resources, but so did many other managers, yet it was Mourinho who delivered more than half of the club's EPL titles.
If any Chelsea fan needs reminding of what he meant to the club, they only need to look at the fact that since bitter rivals Arsenal have last won the EPL title, Mourinho has been appointed Chelsea manager, won two titles, been sacked as manager, won three titles across two separate European leagues, returned as Chelsea manager and won another title.
Jose Mourinho … Chelsea legend!
