The following open letter to Chelsea fans from Chelsea Football Club was exclusively revealed on Chelsea TV tonight.

The Chelsea FC plc board and everyone at the club has appreciated
your patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time.

It is only right that we explain the reasons behind José Mourinho
leaving Chelsea and also recognise the immense contribution he has made
to the club and to English football.

Early this morning we announced that Chelsea and José Mourinho had
agreed to part company by mutual consent. The key phrase here is that
there was mutual agreement. José did not resign and he was not sacked.

What is clear, though, is we had all reached a point where the
relationship between the club and José had broken down. This was
despite genuine attempts over several months by all parties to resolve
certain differences.

The reason the decision has been taken is that we believed the
breakdown started to impact on the performance of the team and recent
results supported this view. We did not want this to continue or affect
the club further.

Chelsea’s long-term football objectives and ambitions remain
unchanged and the appointment of Avram Grant and Steve Clarke is aimed
at continuing to achieve those goals.

We also must pay tribute to the great job José did for Chelsea. He
has been the most successful manager the club has known and he rightly
deserves that place in our history. José has been instrumental in
putting Chelsea where it is today, among the leading clubs in European
and world football.

He will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge, whether as the guest
of Chelsea or as the manager of another club, and he will be given the
reception and respect his position in our history deserves.

Chelsea Football Club