Jose texts players to say he's leaving as Chelsea Avram Grant set to take over

Mourinho sent text messages to five senior players last night telling them he was leaving and the club confirmed at 1.45am this morning that they had parted company with the manager "by mutual consent".

Chelsea's directors, who have been stunned by the speed of Mourinho's departure, were summoned back to Stamford Bridge last night for an emergency meeting after the premiere of the club's tub-thumping documentary Blue Revolution.

Mourinho, who has been at loggerheads with the Chelsea board for the past 12 months, sent text messages to five players at 6pm last night and told them that he was leaving after a little over three years at the club.

Juande Ramos, who was in charge of Sevilla during their 3-0 defeat by Arsenal in the Champions League last night, is already one of the names being linked with the job.

Ramos turned down Tottenham last month, when it emerged he was waiting for a bigger offer, and he is one of many names on Chelsea's radar after leading Sevilla to two successive UEFA Cups.

After Tuesday's game against Rosenborg, Mourinho spoke to his players in the dressing room for less than two minutes — criticising Salomon Kalou for failing to take his chances.

He spent an equal amount of time with Abramovich in the players' lounge before leaving Stamford Bridge.

That was highly unusual behaviour, even for Mourinho, and matters came to a head after his discussion with the club's billionaire owner.

By midnight last night, the entire first-team squad were aware that Mourinho, who led the club to two Premiership titles, will be forced out today.

The Chelsea manager told them he would report to the training ground as usual, but only to say goodbye.

Some players, such as Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko and Joe Cole, will be pleased to see the back of him. After last month's 1-0 victory over Portsmouth, Mourinho was involved in a spectacular row with Cole, who questioned his role in the team.

Incidents such as this, one of many during Mourinho's spell in charge, have been noted by the board and have played a significant part in his downfall.

Incredibly, Mourinho's departure comes just three days before Chelsea travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in one of the biggest games of the season.

Mourinho's backroom team also face the sack, so director of football Avram Grant will be asked to take charge of the team.

Mourinho still has three years left on a contract worth £6.5million a year, but Abramovich is prepared to pay up a large proportion of that deal.

At the time he signed, Mourinho said: "My heart is with Chelsea and the fantastic group of players that I have. I cannot imagine another situation or another club where I could be happier. I am totally behind this project."

Chelsea's board have become increasingly restless after the club's disjointed start to the season and matters came to a head on Tuesday.

Mourinho complained, as he has every week since the start of the season, about injuries to key players and that has not sat easily with the board. Mourinho signed every member of the team that lined up against Rosenborg.

He promised Abramovich the side would play more attractive football this season, but it simply has not happened.

They led the Premiership after beating Portsmouth on August 25, but were knocked off their perch by defeat at Aston Villa.

Abramovich's mood was not improved when Chelsea drew 0-0 against Blackburn last Saturday.