Jose Mourinho will not be taking sabbatical after Chelsea sacking

The 2-1 defeat at Leicester on 14 December was Jose Mourinho's last match in charge of Chelsea

Jose Mourinho will not be taking a break following his sacking by Chelsea on Thursday.

The Portuguese manager was dismissed after nine defeats in 16 Premier League games this season which left the Blues one point above the relegation zone.

"He will not be taking a sabbatical, he isn't tired, he doesn't need it," said a statement from the agency which represents the 52-year-old.

"He is very positive and is already looking forward."

Former Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink has been appointed as Mourinho's successor to become Chelsea's interim manager for the rest of the campaign.

'Very big clubs' interested in Mourinho?

Guus Hiddink (left) was at Stamford Bridge on Saturday with owner Roman Abramovich (right)

In their first game since Mourinho's departure, Chelsea produced an improved performance to beat Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on an afternoon that saw Leicester retain top spot in the Premier League and Manchester United lose at home to Norwich.

Steve Holland took charge of the Blues for their 3-1 win, before Guus Hiddink's arrival for a second interim period in charge.

Asked about Mourinho, former assistant Holland said: "He will be back in football quickly because there will be big clubs that want him and, secondly, because he needs football.

"In my opinion he's not the sort of guy who's going to spend six or seven months at home doing nothing in particular.

"He'll want to get going again sooner rather than later and it wouldn't surprise me if very big football clubs are interested in him."

Mourinho 'met with Roma's owner' says journalist

Chelsea 'decided that he should leave'

Mourinho joined Chelsea for a second time when he took over at the Stamford Bridge club in June 2013.

He led them to the Premier League title and League Cup last season and was rewarded with a four-year contract in the summer.

However, Chelsea struggled this season and the club's technical director Michael Emenalo talked of a "palpable discord between manager and players" following Mourinho's exit.

"Jose Mourinho is pleased that he returned to Chelsea because he was able to give the fans another Premier League title, which they had not won for many years," the statement continued.

"He is immensely proud of his eight trophies at Chelsea, and thanks the fans for all their support throughout his two spells at the club.

"During his career, Jose has sometimes chosen to leave a club, but only at Chelsea has the club decided that he should leave."

Mourinho to 'discourage speculation'

Jose Mourinho was at the Amex Stadium for Brighton's top-of-the-table Championship game with Middlesbrough

In total, Mourinho won three Premier League titles, the 2007 FA Cup, three League Cups and a community shield trophy at Chelsea.

Following his exit from his first Blues spell he led Italian club Inter Milan to the treble of Champions League, Serie A and domestic cup in 2009-10.

Mourinho then joined Real Madrid and between 2010 and 2013 helped them claim the 2011 Copa del Rey and beat Barcelona to the 2011-12 La Liga title.

Real president Florentino Perez says the Spanish club have no immediate plan to bring back Mourinho, who has also been linked with Manchester United.

Mourinho made his first public appearance since his dismissal when he went to Brighton's top-of-the-table Championship game at home to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka was Mourinho's number two at Real Madrid.

"He (Jose) will not be attending any high-profile games because he wants to discourage any speculation about his future," the statement on Mourinho's behalf said.

"Jose will remain living in London and hopes he and his family will be given the opportunity to do this privately."