LONDON
Chelsea football club legends Frank Lampard and John Terry have opened up about the emotional impact of Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2007. The iconic manager’s sudden exit left the dressing room in tears.
During a recent three-part docu-series titled ‘Mourinho’, the former teammates reflected on the special bond they shared with their former boss. Mourinho famously ended Chelsea’s 50 year wait for a top-flight league title during his legendary first spell at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2007, winning back-to-back Premier League trophies. However, rising tensions behind the scenes with owner Roman Abramovich eventually led to his abrupt exit in September 2007.
Frank Lampard recalled the heartbreaking moment the manager walked into the changing room to announce he was leaving. Lampard admitted that grown men shed tears, which is completely unusual when a coach departs. He noted how much Mourinho had helped shape his career and how deeply the squad loved working under his intense leadership style.
John Terry also expressed fierce loyalty to his former mentor, revealing that he would have gladly left the pitch in a coffin for him. Terry even blamed himself for a Champions League draw against Rosenborg that triggered the sacking, noting that he still feels responsible for how things ended.
Mourinho himself explained that his relationship with Abramovich broke down because outside figures and strangers began interfering with the club’s inner structure. He shared a story about refusing to leave a training session to play a casual match on the owner’s boats, which further strained their working relationship.
Despite the dramatic exit, Mourinho later returned for a second successful stint in 2013, winning another Premier League title. Today, the legendary manager continues his storied career, having recently taken charge of Real Madrid after managing AS Roma.