Jose Mourinho has left Chelsea by mutual consent after nine defeats in their opening 16 Premier League games.
The champions have endured their worst start to a season since 1978 and currently find themselves sitting just a point above the relegation zone after nine defeats in their opening 16 games.
Mourinho has found himself battling off suggestions that he has lost the dressing room, with Standard Sport reporting earlier in the season that he was facing a mutiny from several leading players.
In a statement the club said: "Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have today parted company by mutual consent.
"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. The club’s focus is now on ensuring our talented squad reaches its potential.
"There will be no further comment until a new appointment is made."
The Premier League defeats which cost Jose Mourinho his job at Chelsea
Monday’s loss away to league leaders Leicester City was the second consecutive league defeat for Chelsea, who have won a mere two league games since October. Chelsea had held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the manager’s future after Mourinho had accused his players of “betraying” him.
After the Leicester loss Mourinho had laid into his team, saying: “One of my best qualities is to read the game for my players and I feel like my work was betrayed.
“One possibility is that I did an amazing job last season and brought the players to a level that is not their level and now they can't maintain it.”
Diego Simeone and Pep Guardiola are at the top of Chelsea’s shortlist to take over in the summer, however neither are likely to depart Atletico Madrid or Bayern Munich midway through the season.
Juande Ramos, Guus Hiddink and Brendan Rodgers have all been reported as potential interim managers as Chelsea look to drag themselves away from the relegation zone.
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His departure brings to an end his second reign at Stamford Bridge, during which time he has won three Premier League titles and guided the Blues to the Champions League semi-finals.
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