Former Chelsea skipper Wilkins fears struggle at the Bridge

The Portuguese left Chelsea in the early hours of this morning "by mutual consent", according to a club statement, and Wilkins fears for their future.

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"I'm absolutely astounded at what's happened," he told Sky Sports News.

"I don't really see the sense in it to be honest, let's hope they've got someone lined up."

Asked if he agreed Mourinho was the best manager in the game, Wilkins added: "I would say that would be a fair comment - obviously they will have to look for someone who can hold the reins.

"Winning football matches is what the game's about and he is a winning manager who puts a winning mentality in players' heads and they go and win things."

Another former Chelsea player, Gavin Peacock, was also worried.

He told BBC Radio Five Live: "I think that half the team will have been affected badly and it's going to be hard to get that team spirit that Jose managed to manufacture."

Former England manager Graham Taylor believes the beginning of the end came when Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko were brought in, reportedly against Mourinho's wishes.

Taylor told BBC Radio Five Live: "Once you take away the authority the manager has in signing players, you're on a slippery slope.

"What I would say about Mourinho is his record is with underachieving players and when Shevchenko and Ballack came in, it disturbed the balance.

"They've never looked as fluid and that's because the manager probably did not himself believe that is the way they should be playing."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown heaped praise on Mourinho today saying he was one of the "great characters of the game".

Mr Brown's spokesman said: "The Prime Minister is a football fan and somebody who enjoys watching Premiership games, so he knows Mourinho has a fantastic record of success.

"He's made a significant contribution to British football in a short period of time and he's also one of the great characters of the game."