CHELSEA stars were left absolutely heartbroken after Jose Mourinho left in 2007.
So much so that even the Blues’ toughest players broke down in tears upon hearing the news.
Chelsea stars were left in tears after Jose Mourinho left back in 2007
Former Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon revealed the reason why Mourinho leftPRESS ASSOCIATION
That is according to Peter Kenyon, who was the West Londoners’ CEO for five years until his departure in 2009.
Kenyon, 71, was one of the key figures who brought Mourinho, 62, to Chelsea in 2004.
The two had a very good relationship and also worked very well with then-owner Roman Abramovich – that led to the Special One referring to themselves as the “Holy Trinity”.
However, Avram Grant’s arrival in 2007 as the club’s director rocked the dynamics of that working relationship.
So much so that Mourinho asked Kenyon for his release as Grant’s presence had created a distance between the Portuguese tactician and Abramovich, who also expressed his desire for a more entertaining brand of football.
That was a very difficult situation for the former Chelsea executive, but nothing could have prepared him for what would follow after he broke the news to the players, who were also not excited with the prospect of Grant replacing their beloved manager at the helm.
Kenyon told The Telegraph: “That was one of the hardest conversations I’ve had.
“Telling the players that a) Jose’s gone, and b) that Avram’s taking over.
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“I don’t think I’ve seen as many football stars go ashen all at the same time. They were dumbstruck.
“There were two people in tears, people you wouldn’t think were capable of crying. There was a general feeling like we’d popped a balloon.”
Chelsea went on to make it to the Champions League final during the 2007-08 season.
However, Kenyon credits the quality of the team Mourinho left behind instead of Grant.
In fact, the former club chief is adamant that Chelsea would have won the Champions League if the Special One had stayed.
Kenyon added: “It disrupted us for a period. It didn’t stop us because the team kept going.
“We got to the Champions League final and that was about the team, not Avram. I don’t want to be disrespectful, but I’m being honest.
“I’m really confident that had Jose been there, we’d have won the Champions League final in 2008.”
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