Jose Mourinho - What the papers say

Keep up-to-date with all the latest sports stories, football headlines and juicy gossip doing the rounds in the national press. From the tabloids to the broadsheets, you'll find the best bits here!


THE TIMES: Jose Mourinho agreed a £12million payoff as compensation for his dramatic departure from Chelsea, but he is already planning his return to football.

DAILY TELEGRAPH: Chelsea admitted that Jose Mourinho's sensational departure had been caused by an "irretrievable'' breakdown in relations with owner Roman Abramovich. Chelsea's players first suspected that something was not quite right when their manager Jose Mourinho greeted them with emotional hugs at the Wednesday night screening of the club's new film on the Roman Abramovich years.

THE SUN: Didier Drogba has vowed to follow Jose Mourinho out of Chelsea. Chelsea stars were stunned when it was revealed Akram Grant is taking over as manager permanently.

DAILY STAR: Chelsea are facing meltdown in the wake of Jose Mourinho's shock exit. Jose Mourinho was handed a £10million pay-off by Chelsea - and could walk straight into the Portugal job.

DAILY MIRROR: Roman Abramovich has been left facing a backlash from players and fans after the shock departure of Jose Mourinho. New Chelsea boss Avram Grant will miss the last day of training before Sunday's trip to Old Trafford because of his religious beliefs.

DAILY MAIL: Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea on Thursday to collect £12.5million pay-off after declaring his intention to go back to work yesterday.

THE INDEPENDENT: Jose Mourinho shed tears at what was described by witnesses as an extraordinarily emotional farewell to his Chelsea squad at the club's training ground.

DAILY EXPRESS: Frank Lampard is set to be the first star to follow Jose Mourinho out of Chelsea after being left "devastated'' by the departure of the manager to whom he was so close. Avram Grant will miss the crucial final preparations for his first match as Chelsea manager at Manchester United because he will be observing the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Spurs are ready to make an audacious move for Jose Mourinho - if they get any indication the Portuguese manager would be interested.

THE GUARDIAN: Roman Abramovich will take a more active role in team affairs after the departure from Chelsea of Jose Mourinho, according to a source close to the Russian. Avram Grant faces an early test of his man-management skills at Chelsea after the team's star players reacted with fury and disbelief to the departure of Jose Mourinho.