Jose Mourinho's Chelsea departure boiled down to "palpable discord" with his Stamford Bridge squad, according to Blues board member Michael Emenalo.

Chelsea parted company with Mourinho today after two days of crisis board meetings, with Guus Hiddink the front-runner to slot in as interim boss.

Blues chiefs insisted Mourinho had left the club "by mutual consent", just seven months after lifting the Premier League title.

And Chelsea's technical director Emenalo insisted club bosses do not accept accusations the Blues' players had any underhand role by trying to undermine Mourinho.

"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.

"This club is in trouble, and something needed to be done"

"The results are not good. 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.

"Make no mistake about it, Chelsea Football Club is one of the biggest clubs in the world, is one point above relegation in the English Premier League and that's not good enough.

"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."

Chelsea will appoint Guus Hiddink as their new boss, according to former Blues striker Mateja Kezman.

Kezman, quoted in local media in his native Croatia, said Hiddink has told him he will succeed Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

Kezman is reported as saying: "I do not know if it is officially confirmed, whether the club has announced it, but Guus told me earlier.”