Chelsea confirmed late last night that manager Jose Mourinho had left the club “by mutual consent”. Though with Chelsea a disappointing 5th in the Premier League —- and Tuesday’s Champions League draw against Rosenborg played before a mere 25,000 at Stamford Bridge, chances are slim much effort was put forth trying to convince Mourinho to stay.

It’s doubtful Mourinho will be out of work for long, nor will it shock many if Chelsea hire Gus Hiddink (that is, if Russia fails to qualify for Euro 2008).  But the next manager will have his work cut out for him, if not in terms of results, then certainly in regards to the aesthetic shadow cast by the Portugese quote machine.