Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has shed light as to why Jose Mourinho may have been relieved of his duties on Thursday after saying it was "obvious" there were issues between the coach and the players.
Chelsea confirmed they and Mourinho had parted ways by mutual consent following the club's worst start to a season since 1978 - a campaign in which they went on to be relegated from the top flight - and Standard Sport understands the news was delivered to the 52-year-old in a 10-minute meeting at Cobham.
In a statement released on the club's website, Chelsea highlighted the team's poor results this term - the champions have already lost nine Premier League matches - as the main reason why the board made the decision despite having handed Mourinho a new contract in August.
The statement made no reference to recent suggestions of a falling out between Mourinho and his squad just days after the Portuguese tactician admitted he felt "betrayed" by his players following their performance in Chelsea's 2-1 defeat against Leicester City.
While Emenalo emphasised that Chelsea's position just one point above the relegation zone was a key factor in why the club parted ways with Mourinho for the second time, he suggested issues between the Portuguese tactician and the players may have contributed in part to the move.
He told Chelsea TV: "That contract clearly signifies that what happened today was not a pre-meditated decision. It was a decision taken to protect the interest of the club.
"Whilst there is a huge sentiment for the individual, who has done so much for the club, the fact of the matter remains that Chelsea Football Club is in trouble. The results are not good.
"There obviously seemed to be a palpable discord between manager and players and we feel it was time to act.
"The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club. Make no mistake about it, Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world, it is one point above the relegation zone and that's not good enough.
The Premier League defeats which cost Jose Mourinho his job at Chelsea
"Any fan who loves the club, or has any kind of affiliation with the club, can understand that this club is in trouble and something needed to be done."
Emenalo was then asked whether the players had had any say in the decision, but he said: "This is the same group of players who won the league and league Cup last season. They did it in style and did it by showing commitment by sweat and blood, tears and blood, when needed.
“They played to instruction, they adhered to everything the manager asked them to do. It's very easy to make that kind of inference but that's not one the club accepts.
"We know the players have a responsibility to go out and prove everyone wrong and show a certain level of commitment to try and get the club up the league table and I believe that's what they are trying to do."
