The Stamford Bridge fan-favourite has parted ways with the club.
Jose Mourinho has parted ways with Chelsea FC after the club's worst ever start to a Premier League season.
At a meeting on Thursday, the club's directors decided the beleaguered manager should go despite giving him their backing earlier in the season.
In a statement on the club's website, Chelsea confirmed the Portuguese manager's departure from Stamford Bridge:
"All at Chelsea thank Jose for his immense contribution since he returned as manager in the summer of 2013.
"His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history. But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways.
"The club wishes to make clear Jose leaves us on good terms and will always remain a much-loved, respected and significant figure at Chelsea. His legacy at Stamford Bridge and in England has long been guaranteed and he will always be warmly welcomed back to Stamford Bridge."
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The Portuguese boss still had strong backing among the club's fans, with his name still being chanted during matches, and banners depicting his image still being flown proudly at Stamford Bridge.
But with just 15 points from 15 matches, Chelsea's defence of their Premier League title is in tatters. The club is 16th in the table – just one point above the relegation zone – and there have been clear signs of a rift between Mourinho and some of his most important players.
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On Monday night, the club lost 2-1 to current league leaders Leicester City, who narrowly avoided relegation last season.
After the defeat, pundits questioned whether Mourinho's squad were willing to play for him, focusing on one particular incident that saw Chelsea's star player Eden Hazard choose to leave the pitch and play no further part in the game.
Hazard was caught by Leicester striker Jamie Vardy and appeared to hurt his hip in the incident, but some had speculated as to whether the injury was genuine.
His father Thierry Hazard dismissed these claims and told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad: "These are stories that are invented when things go bad."
Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
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