15-point penalty
Leeds have been told by the Football Association that there will be no further inquiry into their 15-point penalty.
United were handed the punishment last month after a turbulent summer which saw them enter administration until Ken Bates' controversial deal to buy back the club.
The club's initial appeal against the deduction was rejected at a meeting of all Football League chairmen before the season started, but they had hoped they would be given the chance to have their case heard by an independent review panel.
But tonight they received notification that the FA do not feel it is right to carry on appealing.
A statement on the club's website read: 'Leeds United have been informed by the Football Association that they do not believe it appropriate for there to be any further inquiry into the decision and the process adopted by the Football League surrounding the club's 15-point deduction.'
Chief executive Shaun Harvey added: 'We are amazed that the Football Association do not feel it is appropriate to intervene in a matter which we believe is fundamentally wrong and sets a dangerous precedent for the future.
'We will fully reflect on this surprising decision and are taking the advice of our legal team. We will not be making any further comment at this time.'
United, who were deducted 10 points in May after going into administration, were hit with the further penalty last month when they were handed their Football League share.
They have, however, already wiped out the entire deduction after winning their first seven Coca-Cola League One games and sit on six points as they look to bounce straight back into the Championship under manager Dennis Wise.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Leeds lose out in demand for inquiry
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Next in line to succeed Henry?
by Bruno Salla
Despite all the debate around Thierry Henry's departure from Arsenal, Emmanuel Adebayor has not let the added pressure of replacing the Frenchman affect his game and, so far this season, has proven that he could be the Gunners' new attacking sensation. 
The tall striker netted a hat-trick against Derby and has been in top form this season.
The tall striker netted a hat-trick against Derby and has been in top form this season.
With five goals in his last two Premier League games, the unpredictable Togolese striker, who according to Wenger brings a strong physical impact to the side, is currently in the form of his life.
He caught up with ESPNsoccernet's Bruno Salla for a quick interview.
Q. Arsenal have been the target of many critics during the off season but now lead the Premier League with 16 points. Is this revenge for the team?
A. No it's not. We are just very happy. At the start of the season, people wouldn't give us a chance to finish ahead of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea. We accepted it, but we really wanted to show those people that they were wrong.
We have a very talented team, that plays attractive football and which can win a trophy this season. Predictions don't interest me much, in May we will see who will be Champions.
Q. One of the main differences with last season is that Arsenal are competitive at home, impressive I should even say. What has changed?
A. The confidence. It is getting better and better each day, as last season we were struggling on the pitch due a lack of confidence. We started the championship with two or three draws and it affected us. We didn't know what to do, we were not playing intelligently. So far this season, the team is playing without pressure, just focusing on its football and with confidence. It is a good thing for the players and the coach. We are happy all together; we always try to go forward on the pitch with the desire to win.
Q. Does this make Arsenal a serious contender for the title this season?
A. It is too early to say that. The road is still very long. We just want to keep on improving and going one step further each game. We are playing very well currently and we learn a lot. Everybody has seen how mature we have been so far and now each player knows how to play for 90 minutes. Even when we are behind, we don't panic. We have to keep this dynamic. We control the ball, that makes everything easier and makes it more difficult for our opponents.
Q. When Thierry Henry left, it's fair to say some of the players and fans were expecting the worst. Were you also worried?
A. When Thierry left, I guess many players, like me, had doubts. Thierry was very important for the team and the club. He was carrying all the pressure on his shoulders when the team wasn't playing well, although he wasn't responsible for it he was the one that was criticised. And he was OK with that. He didn't complain. This season, there is no star in the changing room, if there's something wrong the whole team is criticised and not only one man. We are all in the same boat.
Q. Did you fear that Arsène Wenger would not extend his contract?
A. Yes. If he also left, then we would have been knocked out, like a hammer to the head. He stayed and that is great news, a relief. He is doing an excellent job.
Q. When talking about Henry's successor, people pointed out Robin Van Persie and Eduardo but not yourself. Did that upset you?
A. It's just part of a footballer's life I guess. You have to give the people the freedom to judge. And for most of them, it is still Robin or Eduardo, there's nothing I can say about that. I can only play well and we will see the outcome at the end of the season. Then we will see who has replaced Thierry. It is useless to say 'It's me' or 'It's him'. The squad is young; we are willing to win trophies together and not to think about who is going to be the new Thierry.
I don't ask myself too many questions, I'm focussed on the pleasure I can get from playing on the field. Against Tottenham, for example, I scored a beautiful goal and I was very happy afterwards. But gaining the three points for the team was the most important thing and we also achieved that.
Q. Are you back in your best shape after the injury troubles you have been through over the summer?
A. I was feeling really well physically and mentally before my injury in Austria. That was really hard to accept and to live with at the start. It really affected me. I knew I would miss the first two or thee games of the season and there's nothing more important than the summer's preparation. But now I'm back and I'm playing. I can't play three games a week yet as I'm not at 100% - perhaps only 80% I'd say. It will take some time but I will get there.
Q. Since the World Cup in Germany, you have been refusing to play with the Togolese team. What's going on and will you change your mind?
A. There were many controversies surrounding the bonus issue. The problems are still there and though we are trying to solve it will take time. When you are African you have to learn to handle these things (laugh). We have a very important game at home against Mali in October and we have to concentrate on winning to qualify for the African Nations Cup.
Arsenal flourish in age of change
Arsene Wenger's vice-like grip over the reins of power at Arsenal is matched, if his testimony is accurate, by his grasp on the remote control in his North London house. 
Gilberto: Brazilian changeling converted from midfielder to centre-half.
The Arsenal manager is adamant his viewing habits do not extend beyond the global game. Yet if Wenger ignores the plethora of home makeover shows, his management shares similar principles.
Operating where potential is the operative world and the value of an asset can be multiplied if used for a different purpose, Wenger's ability to reinterpret players means he sees more than flesh and bones where others identify more than mere bricks and mortar.
Where some players' positions are set in stone, Arsenal's must be altogether more malleable. More than any of his contemporaries, Wenger has shown a willingness to alter his charges' duties. The two latest to discover his zeal to amend them are Gilberto Silva and Emmanuel Eboue. The Brazilian's solidity was invaluable in midfield last season, but there is increasing evidence that Wenger views his future in defence.
If Gilberto's outings at centre-back last season were seen as an emergency measure and his first appearance of the season there, against Manchester City, was a consequence of Philippe Senderos' late withdrawal, Arsenal's business at the end of the transfer window was telling nonetheless.
It involved the arrival of an anchor midfielder, Lassana Diarra, and the departure of a central defender, Johan Djourou, albeit on loan. Excluding Gilberto, that has left Arsenal with three specialist centre-backs and five central midfielders.
Moreover Diarra, like his fellow Frenchman Mathieu Flamini, is best suited to the holding role in midfield that was Gilberto's domain.
Add in Abou Diaby's physicality, which compounds his physical resemblance to Patrick Vieira, and his aptitude for a tackling role is evident. Cesc Fabregas' emergence as the dominant figure in the centre of pitch means a solitary spot is available alongside him and Arsenal's 'Invisible Wall' is, it appears, becoming a defensive barrier.
But while Gilberto moves backwards, Eboue appears to be making the opposite journey. In his brief career as a first-choice, the Ivorian has emerged as the most exhilarating right-back in the Premier League.
Now Eboue, the closest equivalent to Cafu seen in England, seems to have been told to make his turbo-charged bursts from a more advanced position on the right flank. The sale of Freddie Ljungberg, following 12 months after Robert Pires and Jose Antonio Reyes made their final Arsenal appearances in the Champions League final, has left a shortage of specialists on the wings.
If some measures since then - such as the very right-footed Diaby's occasional station on the left of midfield - appear a stop-gap, others, like Eboue's move, have an air of permanence about them. This is, in part, because of the recruitment of Bakary Sagna, who shares many characteristics with Eboue. The French right-back's assured start, especially on his Champions League bow against Sevilla, suggests he has been signed as a first choice.
The ability to identify the attributes that would enable a player to prosper elsewhere has long been a hallmark of Wenger's.
Others deployed on the flanks have been, or will be, subject to his conversions. Tomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb both arrived as central midfielders. Neither has been fully remodelled as a winger, as their tendency to drift infield shows, but both are perceived differently in the Premier League than they were in the Bundesliga. Prior to that, Pires and Ljungberg, hitherto usually central players, found themselves redefined as the wide midfielders. Theo Walcott, meanwhile, knows his long-term switch will be to a striking role, even if it will not happen for several seasons.
The precedent for that has been set. Thierry Henry was an exceptionally quick winger when Wenger bought him. He left as Arsenal's record goalscorer and the most notable example of the Arsenal manager's facility to recognise talent and where it could be best deployed.
Henry, however, is not alone. Emmanuel Petit was Monaco's left-back when Wenger persuaded him to divert his taxi to Tottenham to visit his old manager. Within 12 months, he had formed half of an impenetrable barrier Wenger had constructed in front of the Arsenal back four (with Patrick Vieira), helped them to the double and become a World Cup-winning midfielder.
Lauren was recruited as a midfielder and found himself reinvented as a right-back. Kolo Toure spent his first season at Arsenal as a multi-purpose substitute, seen most often in midfield and, unsuccessfully, as a left-back against PSV Eindhoven.
When Tony Adams retired, Toure was placed in the heart of the defence for the Community Shield against Manchester United. It was interpreted as a short-term switch, but was the prelude to a permanent move. Four years later, he ranks among the division's best defenders, his initial season appearing an excellent apprenticeship in Arsenal's ways.
Operating where potential is the operative world and the value of an asset can be multiplied if used for a different purpose, Wenger's ability to reinterpret players means he sees more than flesh and bones where others identify more than mere bricks and mortar.
Where some players' positions are set in stone, Arsenal's must be altogether more malleable. More than any of his contemporaries, Wenger has shown a willingness to alter his charges' duties. The two latest to discover his zeal to amend them are Gilberto Silva and Emmanuel Eboue. The Brazilian's solidity was invaluable in midfield last season, but there is increasing evidence that Wenger views his future in defence.
If Gilberto's outings at centre-back last season were seen as an emergency measure and his first appearance of the season there, against Manchester City, was a consequence of Philippe Senderos' late withdrawal, Arsenal's business at the end of the transfer window was telling nonetheless.
It involved the arrival of an anchor midfielder, Lassana Diarra, and the departure of a central defender, Johan Djourou, albeit on loan. Excluding Gilberto, that has left Arsenal with three specialist centre-backs and five central midfielders.
Moreover Diarra, like his fellow Frenchman Mathieu Flamini, is best suited to the holding role in midfield that was Gilberto's domain.
Add in Abou Diaby's physicality, which compounds his physical resemblance to Patrick Vieira, and his aptitude for a tackling role is evident. Cesc Fabregas' emergence as the dominant figure in the centre of pitch means a solitary spot is available alongside him and Arsenal's 'Invisible Wall' is, it appears, becoming a defensive barrier.
But while Gilberto moves backwards, Eboue appears to be making the opposite journey. In his brief career as a first-choice, the Ivorian has emerged as the most exhilarating right-back in the Premier League.
Now Eboue, the closest equivalent to Cafu seen in England, seems to have been told to make his turbo-charged bursts from a more advanced position on the right flank. The sale of Freddie Ljungberg, following 12 months after Robert Pires and Jose Antonio Reyes made their final Arsenal appearances in the Champions League final, has left a shortage of specialists on the wings.
If some measures since then - such as the very right-footed Diaby's occasional station on the left of midfield - appear a stop-gap, others, like Eboue's move, have an air of permanence about them. This is, in part, because of the recruitment of Bakary Sagna, who shares many characteristics with Eboue. The French right-back's assured start, especially on his Champions League bow against Sevilla, suggests he has been signed as a first choice.
The ability to identify the attributes that would enable a player to prosper elsewhere has long been a hallmark of Wenger's.
Others deployed on the flanks have been, or will be, subject to his conversions. Tomas Rosicky and Alexander Hleb both arrived as central midfielders. Neither has been fully remodelled as a winger, as their tendency to drift infield shows, but both are perceived differently in the Premier League than they were in the Bundesliga. Prior to that, Pires and Ljungberg, hitherto usually central players, found themselves redefined as the wide midfielders. Theo Walcott, meanwhile, knows his long-term switch will be to a striking role, even if it will not happen for several seasons.
The precedent for that has been set. Thierry Henry was an exceptionally quick winger when Wenger bought him. He left as Arsenal's record goalscorer and the most notable example of the Arsenal manager's facility to recognise talent and where it could be best deployed.
Henry, however, is not alone. Emmanuel Petit was Monaco's left-back when Wenger persuaded him to divert his taxi to Tottenham to visit his old manager. Within 12 months, he had formed half of an impenetrable barrier Wenger had constructed in front of the Arsenal back four (with Patrick Vieira), helped them to the double and become a World Cup-winning midfielder.
Lauren was recruited as a midfielder and found himself reinvented as a right-back. Kolo Toure spent his first season at Arsenal as a multi-purpose substitute, seen most often in midfield and, unsuccessfully, as a left-back against PSV Eindhoven.
When Tony Adams retired, Toure was placed in the heart of the defence for the Community Shield against Manchester United. It was interpreted as a short-term switch, but was the prelude to a permanent move. Four years later, he ranks among the division's best defenders, his initial season appearing an excellent apprenticeship in Arsenal's ways.
Emmanuel Eboue has found his attacking impetus employed further forward.
Flamini, having had his, found Wenger had identified qualities the midfielder himself did not know he possessed, enabling him to become an accomplished left-back at the end of the 2005-6 season. It was such an unexpected switch that it prompted the thought: what next? Jens Lehmann, with his temper, would make a fearsome midfield enforcer.
As Pascal Cygan's ventures at left-back (not to mention his displays in the centre of the defence) showed, Wenger's talent-spotting is not flawless.
Yet when comparative unknowns such as Toure and Denilson develop into coveted players, it should give Gilberto and Eboue confidence in Wenger's ability to redefine them. It shows that some of the qualities required to be an Arsenal player - principally technique and pace - enable them to prosper in several positions and such resourcefulness often renders further forays into the transfer market unnecessary.
But just as Arsenal's identity has been transformed under Wenger, so has that of some of their players and perhaps his version of home improvements, including the alterations he is making to Gilberto and Eboue's game, will convert Arsenal back into title challengers.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Young Gunners firing on all cylinders
Those who feared football's fantasists were being outsmarted by the modern day desperation for winning at all costs were given a timely assurance to the contrary at the Emirates Stadium on Matchday One of the Champions League. 
Luis Fabiano of Sevilla vies with Bacary Sagna
The functional football displayed by sides such as AC Milan, Chelsea and FC Porto has brought success in Europe's premier competition in the last few years, so as the two teams who have claims to being the most attractive in England and Spain went head to head on a chilly North London evening, the connoisseurs of the beautiful game held their breath and hoped to witness the wind of change.
They were not to be disappointed. So long as Arsene Wenger is manager of Arsenal, and that should be for a considerable period of time, his team will only play with a magical vibe and even though their determination to impress their adoring public occasionally costs them, they will not be changing for anyone.
• Press Pack Rumour: The end for Mourinho?
The same could be said of the Juande Ramos inspired Sevilla, who must be the most highly rated Champions League debutants of all-time. Already ranked 14th by UEFA, their back to back triumphs in the second string European competition over the last couple of years provided the ideal breeding ground for them to enter the big-time as serious contenders from the off.
While winning the UEFA Cup is a very different challenge to lifting the Champions League, FC Porto proved it can be a route to success by claiming the two competitions in 2003 and then 2004, so Wenger's claims Sevilla should be regarded as 'one of the four or five teams who can win' this season's ultimate European prize could not be ignored.
Sevilla boss Ramos did his best to distance his side from such accolades and insisted their 'rookie' status meant they could not be considered among the chief contenders this time around, but the shrewd judges will have placed a few spare pennies on a side that could easily have lifted last season's Spanish title were it not for a desperately overcrowded fixture list at the end of last season.
And from the start of this game, it was clear that Sevilla would not allow first night nerves to get in the way of their ambitions as they attacked Arsenal with the sort of dynamic football that has won them so many friends in the last couple of years. This was very much going to be two sides fighting flair with flair and those of us fortunate to be here prepared for the feast.
Ramos sets up his side with a 4-4-2 formation, with captain Jose Luis Marti a willing unsung hero sitting deep in the heart of the midfield. Danish play-maker Christian Poulsen is given license to pull some strings in the heat of the battle and wide men Jesus Nava and Diego Capel provide width and pace down the flanks. The latter of that duo is very much a rich man's Stephen Hunt, with his shaggy hair and never ending energy very reminiscent of the underrated Reading and Ireland midfield.
Fredi Kanoute's presence up front is crucial to their game plan and whether he is paired with Brazilian Luis Fabiano or Alexander Kerzhakov, a goal threat is always present. Add to that the highly rated Daniel Alves and his bursts forward from a full-back berth and you have an attacking force to be reckoned with.
Even though this was game did not be provide any tangible evidence that Wenger will be proved right in his prediction that Sevilla will challenge for the Champions League crown this season, they showed enough invention and created enough chances to give their backers real optimism for the months ahead.
A deflected first half goal from Cesc Fabregas and second half strikes from Robin van Persie and substitute Eduardo were enough to seal all three points for Arsenal in this opening Group H fixture, though Sevilla provided enough evidence to suggest they will come through this opening phase and pose a threat to sides in the new year.
Looking so comfortable on the ball, they twice went close to finding a late first half leveller through Kanoute and the final score line flattered Arsenal, with Sevilla wasting several decent chances to score their first Champions League goal.
If they were going to find a route back into this game, Marti needed to make the most of the glorious opportunity he had in front of goal after a deflected cross opened up the Arsenal defence, but his scuffed effort summed up what had become a night of near misses for Sevilla. Their final ball often let them down when they got into dangerous positions, but if they do hit peak form at some point in the next few months, they are capable of upsetting the best.
It may be that Sevilla's defensive ranks are exposed a little against the best European strikers this season, yet Ramos still found some positives as his first taste of Champions League action ended in defeat. 'We saw the challenge you face in this competition compared to the UEFA Cup tonight,' said Ramos, somehow managing to get through a press conference without being asked about his links with Tottenham.
'One chance against this quality of opponent and they finish you off, but we may have had more room for mistakes last season. This is why I would not agree with Wenger when he says we have a chance to win the Champions League this season. I still believe we can qualify for the next stage, but we saw tonight that a top side with a strong defence can make it difficult for us.
The functional football displayed by sides such as AC Milan, Chelsea and FC Porto has brought success in Europe's premier competition in the last few years, so as the two teams who have claims to being the most attractive in England and Spain went head to head on a chilly North London evening, the connoisseurs of the beautiful game held their breath and hoped to witness the wind of change.
They were not to be disappointed. So long as Arsene Wenger is manager of Arsenal, and that should be for a considerable period of time, his team will only play with a magical vibe and even though their determination to impress their adoring public occasionally costs them, they will not be changing for anyone.
• Press Pack Rumour: The end for Mourinho?
The same could be said of the Juande Ramos inspired Sevilla, who must be the most highly rated Champions League debutants of all-time. Already ranked 14th by UEFA, their back to back triumphs in the second string European competition over the last couple of years provided the ideal breeding ground for them to enter the big-time as serious contenders from the off.
While winning the UEFA Cup is a very different challenge to lifting the Champions League, FC Porto proved it can be a route to success by claiming the two competitions in 2003 and then 2004, so Wenger's claims Sevilla should be regarded as 'one of the four or five teams who can win' this season's ultimate European prize could not be ignored.
Sevilla boss Ramos did his best to distance his side from such accolades and insisted their 'rookie' status meant they could not be considered among the chief contenders this time around, but the shrewd judges will have placed a few spare pennies on a side that could easily have lifted last season's Spanish title were it not for a desperately overcrowded fixture list at the end of last season.
And from the start of this game, it was clear that Sevilla would not allow first night nerves to get in the way of their ambitions as they attacked Arsenal with the sort of dynamic football that has won them so many friends in the last couple of years. This was very much going to be two sides fighting flair with flair and those of us fortunate to be here prepared for the feast.
Ramos sets up his side with a 4-4-2 formation, with captain Jose Luis Marti a willing unsung hero sitting deep in the heart of the midfield. Danish play-maker Christian Poulsen is given license to pull some strings in the heat of the battle and wide men Jesus Nava and Diego Capel provide width and pace down the flanks. The latter of that duo is very much a rich man's Stephen Hunt, with his shaggy hair and never ending energy very reminiscent of the underrated Reading and Ireland midfield.
Fredi Kanoute's presence up front is crucial to their game plan and whether he is paired with Brazilian Luis Fabiano or Alexander Kerzhakov, a goal threat is always present. Add to that the highly rated Daniel Alves and his bursts forward from a full-back berth and you have an attacking force to be reckoned with.
Even though this was game did not be provide any tangible evidence that Wenger will be proved right in his prediction that Sevilla will challenge for the Champions League crown this season, they showed enough invention and created enough chances to give their backers real optimism for the months ahead.
A deflected first half goal from Cesc Fabregas and second half strikes from Robin van Persie and substitute Eduardo were enough to seal all three points for Arsenal in this opening Group H fixture, though Sevilla provided enough evidence to suggest they will come through this opening phase and pose a threat to sides in the new year.
Looking so comfortable on the ball, they twice went close to finding a late first half leveller through Kanoute and the final score line flattered Arsenal, with Sevilla wasting several decent chances to score their first Champions League goal.
If they were going to find a route back into this game, Marti needed to make the most of the glorious opportunity he had in front of goal after a deflected cross opened up the Arsenal defence, but his scuffed effort summed up what had become a night of near misses for Sevilla. Their final ball often let them down when they got into dangerous positions, but if they do hit peak form at some point in the next few months, they are capable of upsetting the best.
It may be that Sevilla's defensive ranks are exposed a little against the best European strikers this season, yet Ramos still found some positives as his first taste of Champions League action ended in defeat. 'We saw the challenge you face in this competition compared to the UEFA Cup tonight,' said Ramos, somehow managing to get through a press conference without being asked about his links with Tottenham.
'One chance against this quality of opponent and they finish you off, but we may have had more room for mistakes last season. This is why I would not agree with Wenger when he says we have a chance to win the Champions League this season. I still believe we can qualify for the next stage, but we saw tonight that a top side with a strong defence can make it difficult for us.
'Sevilla are still a young team in the Champions League and sides like Arsenal and AC Milan have a history and economic set-up that is better than ours. We can take some lessons from this season and in my view, our bad luck played a part in this game.'While Sevilla were left to rue their missed opportunities, Arsene Wenger could content himself with another night of triumph in what is already becoming a season of vindication for the Arsenal boss. His move to off-load Thierry Henry and put all his faith in the youngsters he has been promoting for many a year was more than a little bold during the summer, but it looks set to pay off in the grand manner.
'It is still very early in the season, but when you see your players all dancing around the pitch and showing so much sprit, it fills you with hope,' admitted the Arsenal boss. 'The final score line in this game does not reflect the real nature of this game because Sevilla are a top side and we have the fortune when we needed it. I now need to keep everyone's feet on the ground because we have had an almost perfect start to this season.'
Wenger then took the opportunity to have a little dig at Chelsea, as Emirates Stadium was packed out for this game just a day after Stamford Bridge was left half-full for the Blues first Champions League game of the campaign. 'The support at this club amazes me and maybe we will need to add some seats onto this stadium sometime,' he added. 'Maybe the football we play attracts more people than other clubs.'
The resolute and brilliantly dogged sides will no doubt have their say, but a re-match between these two teams in the Champions League Final in Moscow next May would be a triumph for style over substance.
At this formative stage of the season, we football fantasists can dare to dream.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Cesc Fabregas This little Spaniard must be one of the finest footballers in Europe just now and he had another inspired game at the heart of the Arsenal midfield.
FOOD WATCH: The pre-match beef stew in Guinness was a bold culinary effort, but it was a major triumph. Regular Insider reading will not be surprised to hear that the ice cream fridge was raided once again.
INSIDER MOAN: The three French journalists sat around me cannot have seen a moment of the game as they had their back to the pitch all night as they talked to each other. My annoyance turned to concern as they started rubbing each other on the cheek mid-way through the second half.
SEVILLA VERDICT: One defeat against an Arsenal side high on confidence does not mean Sevilla's ambitions in this season's Champions League are over, but the manner of the defeat suggested they may not be quite ready to triumph against the best this season. They will entertain anyone who catches one of their games in the next few months all the same.
PRESS PACK RUMOUR:
The rumour that manager Jose Mourinho had left Chelsea on Wednesday night brought carnage to the press room as journalists ran around trying to confirm the scoop and decide whether or not to run with it in Thursday morning's newspapers.
The talk amongst the hacks indicated that Mourinho informed an unnamed Chelsea player of his decision to leave the London club after training, the player then texted a member of the media with the news, which prompted calls to Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon, who denied he had heard any news on the subject.
Mourinho's rocky relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is public knowledge - the current spat about playing/not playing Andrei Shevchenko is often in the headlines - and has made the rumour easier to swallow.
Satisfied Jose settles up and waves goodbye
Goodbye Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho settled a massive compensation package with Chelsea and then declared he was proud of his achievements with the Premier League side.
Mourinho finally agreed on a financial settlement late this evening after agreeing to leave the club by mutual consent earlier in the day.
Chelsea have since appointed their director of football Avram Grant as his replacement.
Mourinho's decision to step down as manager was due to a breakdown in his relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy.
But he is set to land a reported £20million pay-off as compensation for the remaining three years of his contract - worth around £6m a year.
Mourinho said: 'I am very proud of my work in Chelsea Football Club and I think my decision in May 2004 to come to England was an excellent one.
'It was a beautiful and rich period of my career. I want to thank all Chelsea FC supporters for what I believe is a never-ending love story.
'I wish great success to the club, a club that will be forever connected to me for some historical moments.
'I wish the players happiness in football and in their family life. Finally on my wife's and children' s behalf we thank the great professionalism of their school teachers and the beauty of so many friends.'
After a night of negotiations at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea finally released a statement confirming that all contractual arrangements had been sorted out with their former coach.
The statement read: 'Chelsea Football Club has reached agreement on all contractual arrangements with Jose Mourinho.'
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