Chelsea sack manager Jose Mourinho

The defending English Premier League champions have parted company with their manager, Jose Mourinho, after a string of bad results. There was no immediate announcement about a replacement.

A statement released on Chelsea's website on Thursday confirmed that the 52-year-old Portuguese manager been relieved of his duties "by mutual consent." The club thanked Mourinho of this "immense contribution" since he returned for a second spell at the club in 2013.

"His three league titles, FA Cup, Community Shield and three League Cup wins over two spells make him the most successful manager in our 110-year history. But both Jose and the board agreed results have not been good enough this season and believe it is in the best interests of both parties to go our separate ways," the statement said.

The confirmation came after several British media outlets had reported earlier in the day that Mourinho had been sacked. Chelsea are mired just one point above the relegation zone after having suffered nine defeats in 16 league games. This is the second time Mourinho has been fired by the London club, after he was given the boot at the end of his previous spell at Chelsea, in 2007. His latest contract runs until 2019.

There was no immediate word from the club on a replacement, but British media have speculated that Chelsea could bring in the Dutchman, Guus Hiddink, as a short-term fix.

pfd/msh (Reuters, AFP)