Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has stunned the world of football by leaving Stamford Bridge by mutual consent.
The decision comes after the club held a crisis meeting to discuss the indifferent start to the new season.
Mourinho, 44, joined Chelsea in June 2004 and led them to the Premiership title in each of his first two seasons.
But his relationship with Blues owner Roman Abramovich grew increasingly troubled and he quit despite having three years left on his contract.
Former Chelsea player Didier Deschamps has emerged as one of the frontrunners to replace Mourinho, although Russian manager Guus Hiddink is also likely to be a contender.
BBC Radio 5live football correspondent Jonathan Legard understands Mourinho texted senior players, including skipper John Terry, to tell them he was leaving.
Meanwhile, Peter Kenyon, the club's chief executive, Bruce Buck, the chairman, and Abramovich's key aide, Eugene Tenenbaum, were called to an emergency meeting at Stamford Bridge last night to discuss the emerging crisis.
Former Israel coach Avram Grant, recruited in the summer as director of football, is expected to take charge of the side for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United.
A statement on the Chelsea website confirmed: "Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today (Thursday) by mutual consent."
Many of Chelsea's staff and players had been enjoying a relaxing evening at a Fulham Broadway cinema last night as they watched a screening of 'Blue Revolution" - a new documentary about the Abramovich years.
But senior players like Terry and Frank Lampard were absent and the remainder, except a reluctant England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, refused to talk to the media.
Mourinho also attended the evening but ignored the waiting media and looked decidedly glum.
Mourinho made a massive impact at Chelsea after joining them from Porto, whom he guided to Champions League glory in 2004.
Last season, the Blues finished runners-up to Manchester United but won both the FA Cup and Carling Cup, a trophy they had also collected in 2005.
Mourinho's achievements also saw him voted as Premiership manager of the year in 2005 and 2006.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone...
You'll never walk alone.