Pat Nevin
Former Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

"There was a desperation from Chelsea to change the system – they wanted to try and build a dynasty but they obviously felt they had to act. 

"If you are into short-termism it is the right decision. But Jose Mourinho is a great manager. I think he will go somewhere else and be very successful."

If you're out there thinking this is the end for Jose Mourinho, I'd say you were in the minority. He'll be on the blower in no time.

But where next for the manager formerly known as the Special One? 

Manchester United if Louis van Gaal goes? Or Bayern Munich if Pep Guardiola moves on? Back to Real Madrid?

Image source, AP

Surely not? Lies, damn lies and statistics...

Alan Vaughan: People say JM had lost the players, not the majority. But even worse Roman Abramovich has lost the fans, he will not be forgiven, ever.

Will Clarke: Very bad decision. I don't know a fan who wanted him to leave .. Players have a lot to answer for. Jose the best.

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Chris Sutton
Former Chelsea striker on BBC Radio 5 live

"I keep hear people saying they are surprised by Mourinho's sacking. After Monday night, how can they be? 

"For me he had lost the dressing room earlier on in the season. I have sat in dressing rooms. I know what it is like when big players are upset - they don’t just turn round and say: 'Oh alright.'

"After what Mourinho said about betrayal he knew he had to go. He is not daft. He knew there would be consequences after the words he used."

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal & Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Here's Martin Keown's thoughts on that relationship between manager and players. 

"Everyone talks about this family. It isn't actually. You need to be one step removed. 

"We say things within our own families that we don't get away with in a work environment. Simply, Mourinho's spoken too much to the players and it's almost imploded in front of our own eyes."

Some of this really does boil down to the misty workings of that wholly unknowable place - professional football's dressing room. 

To the outside observer it is a most mysterious thing. An entity almost - it is something you can 'lose' after all...

And what did Jose mean when he said his work had been "betrayed" by his players, after Monday's 2-1 defeat by Leicester?

Image source, GEt

Image source, Getty Images

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal & Aston Villa defender on BBC Radio 5 live

Some of the most interesting reaction I heard this afternoon came from former Arsenal defender Martin Keown.

"It would have been the making of him if he could come through this," he said. 

"I'm disappointed that he's gone because we wanted to see how he'll cope when his team is getting beaten.

"It was astonishing in that last game against Leicester to capitulate the way they did.  He's lost players and there's no trust there. Respect has gone. It's easier to change the manager than it is 22 players."

BBC Radio 5 Live

Over the next hour and a half, we'll be accompanying a special BBC Radio 5 live programme discussing Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea. 

Listen using the links at the top of this very page, or tune in on your radio. 

We'd love you to get involved as well. Tweet us on #bbcsportsday, external or text us on 81111 (UK only - and please include a name). 

We're all here because of the many, many questions this most dramatic of managerial sackings stirs up.

There is the practical: Who next? For how long? Where next? And how much?

Then there is the long game. Reputations, personalities, emotions.

There is data to be mined and views to be opined. Welcome to this Sportsday special.

Image source, Rex Features

And so Chelsea bid farewell to the Special one. 

Jose Mourinho's second spell is broken.  

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Reuters

And you'll be able to listen live using the links at the top of this very page.

We're going into Sportsday extra-time today...

Jose Mourinho has barely been out of the headlines all season.

From disputes with his club doctor to compelling television interviews, talk of getting an "electronic tag" and a series of increasingly damaging defeats, his demise as Chelsea manager has captivated social media.

Here, we chart the key moments in his downfall and look at how his profile on Twitter compared with those of his rival managers.

Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "I wasn't that surprised at the announcement.

"After Monday's result against Leicester, when words like 'betrayal' were used, unfortunately you felt like there was going to be an ending where the manager has to leave. You can't get rid of players obviously because they have long contracts."

Image source, Getty Images

"It's always light and shade with Jose but it just feels this year there's been a lot more shade. 

"It's unprecedented what's happened to Chelsea after winning the title seven months ago. 

"A lot of players who have fallen out with him will be pleased to see the back of him."

Former Chelsea and Netherlands midfielder Boudewijn Zenden has given his views on the potential appointment of Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

“He’s of course someone who is a people manager, if you want to call it that way," Zenden told the BBC World Service. 

Image source, Getty Images

"He is one of the options, a very experienced manager that has earned the stripes and probably the players to listen to. He had a tough time with the national team in Holland, that is why he is available. 

"Chelsea have to make a decision on who is best to take on the job as an interim manager because as far as I can see they want to appoint someone new in the summer.”

BBC Sport editor Dan Roan broke the news of Mourinho's sacking 31 minutes before it was confirmed by Chelsea.

Image source, Dan Roan

Image source, Chelsea

And as you can imagine, Claudio Ranieri, speaking before Jose Mourinho's sacking was announced,says he's a very happy man at Leicester.

Image source, Getty Images

“When other teams play against us, maybe they think twice. For us, it’s not important what they think, but how we play," he said.

"It is important to maintain this friendly group. In every match they help each other. I love it.

"I am very glad when I see our fans happy."