Chelsea have confirmed that Jose Mourinho has left the club.

The Blues reacted to speculation over the future of the Portuguese coach by revealing the two parties had agreed to part company today by mutual consent.

Mourinho is understood to have contacted five senior players yesterday afternoon to inform them of his departure and by midnight the entire first team squad were aware he was going.

Peter Kenyon, the club's chief executive, Bruce Buck, the chairman, and Abramovich's key aide, Eugene Tenenbaum, were called to an emergency meeting at Stamford Bridge last night to discuss the emerging crisis.

Former Israel coach Avram Grant, recruited in the summer as director of football, is expected to take charge of the side for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.

A statement on the Chelsea website confirmed: "Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent."