Interview: Former Chelsea midfielder Gavin Peacock

Report: Mourinho exits Stamford Bridge

By Gavin Peacock BBC pundit and ex-Chelsea midfielder

Jose Mourinho's departure is a sad day for Chelsea, a huge blow for the club's players and fans, and a big loss to English football.

Love him or hate him, he has been good value and there was always something to write about when he was around.

He was a bit of a mischief-maker at times but also, like Sir Alex Ferguson, a ruthless winner.

Mourinho was close to John Terry (left) and Frank Lampard (right)

Mourinho has done wonders for Chelsea, and it's a shame it has come to this. But, given the mixture of people in power, something like this could have happened at any time.

The question is: Was Jose pushed or did he walk?

Recent results have maybe brought things to a head, but Chelsea are only a couple of points behind in the league and still in every competition.

They may not have been on top of their game this season, but the campaign has barely started.

Mourinho cannot have been axed because of a lack of silverware.

In three years, he secured two league titles, one second-place finish, two Carling Cups, one FA Cup and two Champions League semi-final appearances.

It might be a case of the owner - Roman Abramovich - wanting more, like a different playing style.

Whatever the reasons for Mourinho's departure, it is going to rip at the heart of the Chelsea first team and create uncertainty amongst the players

Chelsea have played some fantastic football at times, but their play is not as attractive as Arsenal or Manchester United.

Maybe Mourinho was upset by one or two appointments at the club, such as sporting director Frank Arnesen and director of football Avram Grant.

There is also the Andriy Shevchenko issue that has been bubbling away.

I know for a fact that Mourinho wanted the striker at the club, but the Ukrainian has just not produced the goods, does not look like the player he was in his prime and hasn't been able to command a regular place in the side.

Abramovich, on the other hand, sees Shevchenko as his star player - and that has clearly caused problems.

Whatever the reasons for Mourinho's departure, it is going to rip at the heart of the Chelsea first team and create uncertainty amongst the players.

Joe Cole became an England regular under him, Petr Cech loved him, and look what has happened to Didier Drogba since he joined Chelsea.

606: DEBATE Give your thoughts on Mourinho's departure

Mourinho made them into winners and they are not going to be happy he's gone.

What's more, he's gone ahead of one of the most important games of the season - Sunday's match against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

These games can make the difference to a season - even in these early days.

The appointment of Grant as Mourinho's replacement surprises me. If it was Guus Hiddink coming in, fair enough, but Grant is an unknown quantity.

He did well with Israel and has been manager at Maccabi Tel-Aviv and Maccabi Haifa, but he does not have an amazing record.

At least assistant boss Steve Clarke will remain at the club. He is vital in providing continuity and now has to rally the troops.

As for skipper John Terry and Frank Lampard, if they do not think Grant is the right man there will be unrest.

Lampard might even look to pastures new.

I just hope Mournho's exit does not lead to the club imploding

He has yet to sign his new contract and we will have to see what happens with his future.

He will probably wait to discover what the new manager is like and whether he fancies his style before deciding what to do.

Terry, on the other hand, is Chelsea through and through. He has been there since he was a kid - he was a ball-boy at games I played in, so it would be more of a wrench for him to leave.

Whatever happens, I have concerns for Chelsea's season.

History tells us that whenever a club has a period of success and then the manager leaves, the club experiences a dip in fortunes. That is my fear for Chelsea.

I hope Mourinho's exit does not lead to the club imploding.