Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich took the bold step to sack Claudio Ranieri and appoint Jose Mourinho as Chelsea manager in 2004.
Mourinho’s success at Stamford Bridge was instant as the Blues won the Premier League in his first two seasons. In his third season at the club, Chelsea didn’t win the league, but the Blues were able to win the FA Cup and League Cup.
Mourinho was sacked in his fourth year at the club, and Chelsea legend Petr Cech has revealed how shocking it was for him, and it felt like the end of an era.
“It felt strange,” Cech said on Mourinho’s sacking. “It was very unexpected.
“There was the documentary movie release in Fulham Broadway when we all went to the cinema with all the coaching staff. “I got home and got a message saying the manager had left. “What?! He was with us!”
It was a heartbreaking end to the season, as Chelsea lost the league on the last day of the season to Manchester United and also lost to United in the Champions League final.
“We pretty much lost the title on goal difference,” Cech added. “And then the Champions League final in a penalty shoot-out where we were so close. It was a very bitter end to the season.”