Sheffield Wednesday: ‘Legend’ Mourinho a loss to the game says Carlos Carvalhal

The two and a half year tenure of the Portuguese – his second spell with the London club – was ended on Thursday with the Blues just one point clear of the relegation zone after 16 games of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday boss Carvalhal worked on one of his coaching badges with Mourinho and is close friends with 52-year-old’s assistant coach Rui Faria, who has also left Chelsea.

Carvalhal believes despite his sacking, Mourinho will be remembered as one of the greatest ever coaches.

“It’s a loss to Chelsea and to English football because he’s a big personality,” said Carvalhal, now the only Portuguese head coach in English football.

“Whether people like him or not, he creates emotions in the people.

“To me he is a legend. In 20 to 30 years time, people will remember him as one of the best coaches ever.

“But he is human and these things can happen even with the best coaches in the world.”

Carvalhal admits he expected Mourinho to turn around Chelsea’s fortunes this season.

He said: “Like everybody, I am surprised about the situation.

“I don’t think Mourinho expected that to happen.

“But when they didn’t start well, I had a feeling they would soon recover but they didn’t fly.”

Chelsea were last night understood to be in talks with former boss Guus Hiddink about replacing Mourinho on an interim basis.