Mourinho's downfall - where it all went wrong for the king of Chelsea

When Jose Mourinho breezed into Stamford Bridge in 2004 he declared himself the special one after guiding unfancied Porto to the Champions League crown just a month earlier.

Two titles in two seasons suggested he was indeed special, but then so was the seemingly boundless budget he had to work with courtesy of club owner Roman Abramovich.

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All of a sudden the wallet slammed shut last January, prompting the first suggestions all was not well and that Mourinho's trophy-laden stay in west London could be shorter than many had anticipated.

Although the head coach did bring another couple of prizes to the Bridge after that — the Carling Cup and the FA Cup — the Blues relinquished their title to Manchester United. To make matters worse, the Champions League — the crown Abramovich craved most — continued to elude Chelsea as they crashed out to Liverpool in the semi-finals for the second time in three years.

Today, Abramovich is searching for someone else to deliver European football's ultimate prize while Mourinho is searching for other employment.

Sportsmail traces where it went wrong for the special one.

10 Jan: Mourinho rejects claims he has faced dressing-room unrest over summer-signing Michael Ballack's contribution to the team.

11 Jan: rumours Mourinho could leave Chelsea in the summer surface after he accused the board of refusing to back him in the January transfer window.

13 Jan: Mourinho drops Andriy Shevchenko — widely believed to have been brought to the club against the Portuguese's will by Abramovich — for a clash with Wigan.

15 Apr: secures an FA Cup Final meeting with Manchester United with a 2-1 extra-time win over Blackburn. Shares a hug with Abramovich, raising suggestions relations have improved.

1 May: Chelsea are defeated on penalties by Liverpool in the Champions League semi-finals. Shevchenko had ruled himself out of the second leg citing an injury, with Mourinho reported to be furious. The Ukrainian did not feature for the Blues again until a 0-0 draw with Blackburn last Saturday.

During the close season only Florent Malouda and Juliano Belletti arrive in cash deals, with Arjen Robben, Glen Johnson and Lassana Diarra departing to balance the books as the board continue to refuse to match the previous three years' spending.

26 Jun: Avram Grant appointed Chelsea's director of football.

12 Jul: Mourinho warns Grant not to interfere with team affairs.

2 Sep: After a good start to the season, Chelsea lose 2-0 at Aston Villa, prompting Abramovich to leave the directors box before the final whistle.

Tuesday: The Blues follow up a home draw with Blackburn with a 1-1 stalemate with Rosenborg in the Champions League. Only 24,973 fans attend and boos ring out at the final whistle. Mourinho admitted: "Of course I am alarmed."

Today: Chelsea confirm Mourinho has left the club by mutual consent.