The Portuguese left Stamford Bridge sensationally on Thursday by 'mutual consent', after the club revealed there had been a 'breakdown' in his relationship with the Chelsea hierarchy.

But Mourinho's influence is still huge at the English Premier League club, which attracted many top players because of the coach's reputation as a professional with a track record for winning.

His exit has left many players shocked ahead of tomorrow's clash with champions Manchester United.

Former Israel coach Avram Grant will be in charge for the match.

Defender Ricardo Carvalho, who arrived from FC Porto where he won the Champions League under Mourinho, was both shocked and sad.

'It is a very sad day for me and the team. I had a big offer from Real Madrid, but I stayed at Chelsea because of Mourinho,' he told The Daily Mail.

'For me, there is no doubt Jose Mourinho is the best coach in the world and I cannot believe that we have lost him.

'I never thought he would leave Chelsea without finishing his work, without achieving everything he wanted to.

'It has come as an enormous surprise to all the players. In the past few weeks, the coach was unhappy because of our bad results.

'But we were all working together towards a solution.'

Summer signing Florent Malouda said he joined Chelsea after his first meeting with Mourinho as he was impressed by the coach.

Several reports claimed striker Didier Drogba was 'furious and upset' at the departure of the charismatic Portuguese.

AC Milan are admirers of the Ivory Coast striker and will happily finance a move to take him to the San Siro.

Drogba, 29, was Chelsea's top scorer with 33 goals last season.

Michael Essien, who was brought to the club by Mourinho in August 2005, could also be considering his future.

Paulo Ferreira, also brought to Chelsea by Mourinho, may also be mulling over whether to stay or leave.

A huge question mark will hang over the future of England midfielder Frank Lampard, who has already put talks on a new contract on hold.

He was regarded as one of Mourinho's most trusted lieutenants in the dressing room.

Lampard has long been linked with a move to Spain with either Real Madrid or Barcelona.

Veteran midfield man Claude Makelele added: 'This news was like a bomb for me. I would never have believed we would see the exit of the coach just two months into the season.

'We have seen the tension on Mourinho with the results in the Premier League, but he was still confident.

'The new injuries had really hit the manager hard and you could see the anxiety grow as the results started to go wrong.'

With his former players still taking in the shock of his abrupt departure from Chelsea, Mourinho is said to be planning a swift return to management.

He is understood to have agreed a £12 million (S$36 million) settlement with the Stamford Bridge club after three years of unprecedented success, including two Premier League titles.

Meanwhile, the coach is open to offers.

He said: 'I'm going to enjoy my life, I'm going to wait for the telephone calls. I want to work.'

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

MENTOR GONE

'It is a very sad day for me and the team. I had a big offer from Real Madrid, but I stayed at Chelsea because of Mourinho.'
RICARDO CARVALHO