Fabregas and Hazard pushed for Mourinho departure

Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard pushed for the sacking of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, according to reports.

American broadcaster NBC claim “a source who has inside knowledge of the situation” claimed the senior duo “were leading the charge for Mourinho to be fired”.

Spain star Fabregas, who has been badly out of form this term, was named as the leading protagonist and made several complaints about the former Blues boss and his treatment of his players.

Fabregas has been relegated to the subs bench in recent months and earlier in the season he was named as the player leading a revolt against Mourinho. But the 28-year-old denied that and he posted a “thank you” to Mourinho on Twitter on Friday.

Thank you for all you have done for me. I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future. pic.twitter.com/RQlOTFrtzU

— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) December 17, 2015

Belgium playmaker Hazard, who limped off against Leicester, is also believed to have been upset by Mourinho’s behaviour this season and his form, like Fabregas’, has been well short of the heights he reached last season. Mourinho’s “betrayal” rant after Monday night’s defeat at Leicester proved to be the final straw for Chelsea’s hierarchy and technical director Michael Emenalo’s statement, after Mourinho departed, detailed “palpable discord” between Mourinho and his squad. “Whilst there is huge sentiment for the individual who has done so much for the club, the fact of the matter remains that Chelsea Football Club is in trouble,” Emenalo told Chelsea TV. “There obviously seems to be palpable discord between manager and players, and we feel it was time to act. “The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club. “Anyone who loves the club, who has any kind of affiliation to the club, can understand that this club is in trouble, and something needed to be done.” Board member Emenalo confirmed the 52-year-old’s departure was “by mutual consent” but the club have laid the blame for their poor results and his own exit squarely at the door of Mourinho.