Three Years Ago Today, Jose Mourinho Was Sacked By Chelsea

On this day in 2015, Jose Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea when his team sat in 16th place on the Premier League ladder. It ended what was a frustrating second spell at Stamford Bridge.

Three years on, the so called 'Special One' is struggling once more, this time with current side Manchester United.

The disappointing 3-1 defeat to Liverpool this weekend was the last straw for many, as the club sit 19 points behind their bitter rivals.

When Mourinho was sacked as the Chelsea boss, Sir Alex Ferguson didn't hesitate to put forward his thoughts on the matter at the time, and it will resonate with his current position at United.

"[Roman Abramovich] has to trust and have confidence José can turn it around, there is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time," Ferguson said via the Guardian.

"[Mourinho] has won the European Cup twice, he's won the league in each country he's managed in, he's won the big trophies. It would be foolish for him to take that step to sacking him.

"That would be bad management; it is not leadership, that.

"The sort of average time a manager lasts now is a year throughout the whole country and that is not a big time. For José, I think all good leaders will eventually find a solution."

"I think he will find a solution. I know the guy and I know the work he has done in football and I can't see it lasting long."

Back in September, Mourinho became the favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked at 5/1, with Sky Bet placing the likes of Leicester City manager Claude Puel and Cardiff City boss Neil Warnock below the 55-year-old.

That being said, United would be forced to pay the former Chelsea boss a whopping £12 million if they decided to sack him this season, according to The Daily Mail.

The former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss only signed a new deal in January, so it would be an expensive departure if the board decided to get rid.

In fact, one fan decided to create a GoFundMe account to try and raise the £12 million needed to sack the 55-year-old.

Thoughts on Mourinho at Old Trafford? How long will he last at this rate?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Football News, Jose Mourinho, Chelsea, Football, Manchester United, Premier League

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_