Terry is the real special one

JOHN TERRY will lead Chelsea out at Wembley today for their FA Cup fi nal against Everton amid claims that it was his dispute with Jose Mourinho that led to the Portuguese walking out.

John Terry is at the centre of claims he was responsible for Jose s departure John Terry is at the centre of claims he was responsible for Jose's departure

Chelsea expect on Monday to appoint their fourth manager since Mourinho left 20 months ago, when Carlo Ancelotti is set to be revealed as Guus Hiddink's successor.

But the loss of Mourinho, the most successful manager in Chelsea's history, who led the club to back-to-back titles, has led to turmoil since at Stamford Bridge.

In his autobiography published this week, former Chelsea midfi elder Claude Makelele claims it was a dispute with Terry which may have precipitated Mourinho's departure in September 2007.

A spokesman for John Terry said: "It has been claimed that John was in some way involved with the removal of Jose Mourinho. This is categorically untrue. We also confi rm that John has never asked to be transferred from Chelsea."

 

Jose Mourinho Jose Mourinho

A Chelsea spokesman added that Mourinho's departure "was mutually agreed between Jose and the club."

 

But Makelele reveals in the book 'Quite Simply' how he heard about the possibility of Mourinho's eparture in a phone call from team-mate Didier Drogba the day before it happened.

Makelele wrote: "At the training ground I met Rui Faria, our physical trainer who gave me the news.

"He explained that a lot of players had complained about him, notably John.

Mourinho had told the club's emblematic captain Terry that he was going to be left on the bench for a few matches. John didn't want to be a sub [and] let it be known that he was OK. Mourinho insisted.

"He told him his level of performance was suffering because of his back problems and repeated clearly he'd be replaced until told otherwise. War had been declared. For John this was treason. He believed that, in giving his all in the previous season, even though he was in great pain, he deserved more time."

By that point, Mourinho had suffered several fallings out with owner Roman Abramovich and Makelele added: "He had provoked a clash too far. If there is one person who is untouchable at Chelsea it is John. And Mourinho knew. Why take such a risk? Because he'd had enough and was looking for a way out. The departure of Terry was totally unimaginable."

Terry has always strenuously denied he had anything to do with Mourinho's departure.

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