24horas says he had told a RTP reporter privately that Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack had their 'heads hung in shame'.

The paper reported: "He told how he hugged 23 stars (Drogba was the player who wept the most) and ignored two.

"Despite not having mentioned their names, everything indicates he was referring to Ballack and Shevchenko, players who never had any great affection for the Portuguese manager and vice-versa."

At the three-hour meeting yesterday, Mourinho spoke to each player individually to thank them for their professionalism during his tenure at the club and to wish them well for the future.

Didier Drogba was reportedly the first to break down in tears after he "hugged him like a departing father".

Mourinho reportedly gave Ballack and Shevchenko, whom he had allegedly not wanted to sign, a frosty handshake.