Mourinho departure no surprise for ex-Benfica President

Former Benfica president Joao Vale e Azevedo is not surprised by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho’s exit from Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea confirmed late Thursday they had parted company with the Portuguese by mutual consent despite Mourinho having three years left on his contract.

Vale e Azevedo, who gave Mourinho his first coaching job at Benfica back in the 2000-01 campaign, said to Portuguese radio station Radio Renascenca: “He (Mourinho) is a person that didn’t allow interference into the management of his team.

“And a president is there to manage a club. There are many people (at Chelsea) that like to give orders and there was no alternative but his departure.”

Mourinho lasted nine games at Benfica before resigning after a change of president at the club.