Farewell the 'Special One'. From the 'Special Two'...

I have an interest to declare: I can exclusively reveal I am actually Jose Mourinho's long-lost twin, as we share the same birthdate - Saturday (what else?) January 26, 1963. OK. He got the looks, the hair, the money and the fame and I'm merely world famous in Portsmouth, but I still love my 'brother' and will miss him now he's gone. So too will the rest of the Premiership...

Since Jose, I am allowed to be familiar after all, arrived at Chelsea he has been nothing short of 24-carat, solid gold quality and there can surely be only one loser in this particular turn of events and it isn't the self-proclaimed 'Special One'.

Roman Abramovitch has, to my view, taken leave of his senses. His skulking, sulking, sullen reaction to Chelsea's recent blip in form and the decision to push - the only question is whether it was a nudge or a full-blown shove - Jose out of the door defies all logic.

In three seasons Chelsea had become a point-and-trophy gathering machine. Jose is in the results business and Chelsea got them. Not only that, the words 'Chelsea' and 'world domination' were uttered in the same sentence with barely a titter.

Not bad for a club who just over 20 years ago were sinking into the old second division and Stamford Bridge was attracting gates which actually made 24,000 look quite respectable.

So maybe Chelsea had yet to quite crack the Holy Grail of winning the Champions league, but, left to his own devices, Jose would have delivered.

Instead, the task is now charged to Israeli Avram Grant, who left a Director of Football role at my club, Pompey, in the summer for a similar role at Stamford Bridge.

Jibes about his 'BBC' nickname - ball, bibs and cones - are unfair. His role at Fratton Park may not have been that precise, but Harry Redknapp genuinely seemed to like and respect him for his views and personality.

But to overnight become the man who will deliver Mr Abramovitch's - after my earlier comments it pays to be respectful - dual goal of the Champions League, with the 'beautiful football' knobs on seems hopelessly optimistic.

Good luck Avram. You will need it.

Good luck Jose, too, although you don't. You are the 'Special One' in 'our' family for good reason and I begrudge you nothing. Well, maybe the hair and looks sometimes...

Colin Farmery
www.pompey-fans.com