Image source, Getty Images

Just seven short months ago, Chelsea were celebrating their fourth Premier League title - three of which had been brought to the club across Mourinho's two spells in charge.

The Blues wrapped up the title with three games to spare as they beat Crystal Palace 1-0 at home on 2 May.

They finished the season eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City.

Dan Roan
BBC Sports editor

"Jose Mourinho had a meeting with the club a few minutes ago when he was told the end had come. He has been let go in his second stint and won't be paid the £40m compensation speculated. My understanding is that he has been paid until the end of this season, what was left of the £12m.

"While he has undeniably enjoyed so much success around Europe, he has failed to manage to secure a lasting legacy and enjoy success over a prolonged period of time. 

"Chelsea faced a huge decision and Roman Abramovich had to make it. Reports of Juande Ramos have been a surprise and former manager Guus Hiddink has been linked too. There hasn't been an obvious choice."

BIG NEWS coming out this afternoon. Chelsea have dismissed manager Jose Mourinho.

More on that breaking story coming up. We will have all the developments as they happen and expert analysis aplenty.

If you want to read the breaking news story as it evolves, click here.

Leicester could be five points clear at the top of the Premier League if they win at Everton as Arsenal and Manchester City do not play until Monday.

The Foxes have lost just twice in the league since April and saw of champions Chelsea on Monday.

"We understood to beat the champions was not easy," Ranieri adds. "Now it’s important the players clear their minds.

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

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri starts his news conference with some mixed injury news.

Danny Drinkwater left the field injured in their win over Chelsea but should miss just one game it seems. Bad news for defender Jeffrey Schlupp who could miss 10 weeks with a hamstring injury.

And so to the league leaders, Leicester City. 

Manager Claudio Ranieri is just addressing the media. This should be fun...

Image source, Getty Images

Harry Kane has been sounded out about a possible transfer to Inter Milan, reports the London Evening Standard., external

The 22-year-old's purchase would be funded through player sales made by Roberto Mancini's side.

However, the paper adds Spurs have no desire to let the England international leave.

Southampton are 12th in the Premier League, eight points off the top four, but seven points above the relegation zone.

"It's an open league because Leicester are at the top with teams struggling," says Saints boss Ronald Koeman. "If you win you move up maybe five or six positions. I think it's more close than ever this Premier League so far.

"Leicester have shown why you can beat big teams - spirit, togetherness, quality, system, belief. It's harder for the big ones to get 90 or 95 points, that's impossible this season."

The points tally needed to escape relegation from the Premier League will be lower this year than in previous years, according to Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce.

"You have got to get 38 or more points to be sure of staying in the league," he said.

"We have got to push on and try to take as many points from this group of fixtures."

The Black Cats come up against Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool in their next three games. #Tough

Image source, Getty Images

Ronald Koeman confirms goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg is not available for the weekend as he has still not recovered from a toe complaint while striker Graziano Pelle is back having overcome a knee injury.

Southampton go into the match in poor form but a win could leave them just two points behind fifth-placed Tottenham who have lost just once in 10 outings.

Southampton have lost four of their last five games, drawing the other, but is boss Ronald Koeman feeling the pressure?

Well, here is the man in question. He says: "There is always pressure and I'm used to that.

"The expectations for Southampton are much higher than last year. Our target is very high. If we cannot reach that at the moment, you are always under pressure."

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman starts off his news conference by talking about his side's 1-0 loss at Crystal Palace last week.

"It was a disappointing result and it gives always a little bit more pressure," says Koeman.

"We have had good training sessions but everybody needs to realise that we have to improve. There may be a lack of confidence but still we can play good football. The productivity is not good enough."

Image source, Getty Images

Second-bottom Sunderland will be looking to take advantage of Chelsea's precarious league position.

"Our job on Saturday is to try and continue that cloud Chelsea are under," said boss Sam Allardyce. "We have to play our best on Saturday irrespective of the form Chelsea have been in.

"While we have won three games we have failed to get the odd draw here and there."

Image source, Getty Images

Reading chairman John Madejski says: "I'm proud we've got Brian back. It's the best Christmas present any of us could have had."

McDermott succeeds Steve Clarke and returns to the club he managed between 2009 and 2013.

The Royals are 13th in the Championship.

Earlier we showed you some of Leicester's players in fancy dress. It seems it's Christmas Day for the players at training today.

Midfielder Andy King posts on Instagram:, external "Xmas dinner after training with the boys."

Image source, Andy King

Not too many spuds lads, Everton away on Saturday. We look forward to hearing from your manager in his news conference at around 14:30 GMT.

Dan Walker
BBC Sport presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has been given plenty of stick recently and now former Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has stuck the boot in.

"This is the worst Manchester United team I have seen during my time in football," Redknapp said in his Evening Standard column.

"I know some of the players are young and the squad is decimated by injury but this is still Man United. Some of those players should be nowhere near their first team."

Read the full piece here, external