Talk of Mourinho 'walk-out' shakes Stamford Bridge
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea have built a near unbreakable team on the pitch and appeared to have the perfect set-up off it, but a crack appears to be opening in the Stamford Bridge edifice as the strong personalities at the top of the two arms of the empire appear to be at odds for the first time.
Jose Mourinho was brought in to turn Roman Abramovich's millions into trophies, but the Portuguese coach likes to run the whole show. He left Benfica five years ago because he did not think the board backed him, and that is apparently what he now thinks about the Chelsea board. Reports emanating from Mourinho-friendly sources in Portugal suggested the European Cup-winning coach was thinking of walking out on Chelsea in summer because the club did not challenge the punishment imposed by Uefa, the European game's governing body, over comments he made after the first leg of their Champions' League tie against Barcelona.
Mourinho, who was fined £9,000, must watch both legs of the quarter-final against Bayern Munich from the stand for bringing the game into disrepute by claiming that Frank Rijkaard, Barcelona's coach, had influenced the now retired referee, Anders Frisk, during the half-time interval. Chelsea were fined £22,000. Mourinho, who has a two-year contract, seems to have used contacts back home who have promoted his views in the past to help him to put on a show of strength.
Chelsea, who moved nearer to the Premiership title with yesterday's 3-1 victory at Southampton, dismissed the reports, which appeared on 1 April, as an April Fool's Day prank; the joke may be on Mourinho. Sources close to Abramovich say that if Mourinho was flexing his muscles, he has bitten off more than he can chew and "Roman will take a very dim view".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments