Where next for Mourinho, the Special One?

Those who backed their judgement that all was not well between Chelsea manager José Mourinho and owner Roman Abramovich are cleaning up today after the Special One sensationally parted company with the Blues to win the wooden spoon that is the First Premiership Manager to Leave race. The Portuguese tactician was 50/1 to leave Stamford Bridge a matter of weeks ago but the league defeat to Aston Villa saw those odds slashed to 14/1 and the subsequent 1-1 home draw in the Champions League against Rosenborg, that cost devout followers of this column (sorry Mum) their 3/1 European fourfold, saw Mourinho pay an even higher price. While there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth among Chelsea supporters the news of Mourinho's departure will come as a relief to Abramovich buys Michael Ballack and striker Andriy Shevchenko who failed to fit into the Blues' rigid system. It's also good news for Avram Grant, the director of football and close friend of Abramovich who arrived from Portsmouth against the wishes of the Special One in the summer and has become the new man at the helm. There seems little doubt as to where the 44-year-old Portuguese will pitch up next as during the course of writing this article the odds on him coaching the Portuguese national team have plummeted from 14s into 4/6 (go to SportingBet now) after Portugal boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, whose side risk failing to qualify for Euro 2008, was banned for four matches for his part in a post-match rucus after the draw with Serbia. Close sources to Mourinho, who has often said he would like the job one day, are claiming it is a done deal.The self-annointed Special One is 5/1 to take over from beleaguered Tottenham boss Martin Jol but unlikely to take any position in England outside of the Big Four, who are happy enough with their current incumbents. Elsewhere in Europe there are few club positions of interest to a coach who has won four league titles, a Portuguese Cup, an FA Cup, two League Cups, the Uefa Cup and the Champions League. In Spain Real Madrid's trust in new coach Berndt Schuster, whose has bought big this summer, appears to be bearing fruit, bridges have been burnt with Barcelona (an 8/1 shot) while 12/1 Valencia are probably beneath the ambitious Mourinho. Inter Milan and Juventus are possible alternatives at the same price but Inter coach Roberto Mancini only recently signed a new deal while Juve cannot lure Mourinho with Champions League football this term. Expect Mourinho to guide Portugal to Austria and Switzerland next summer before taking over at one of Europe's biggest hitters next season. Mourinho's next job: Portugal 4/6; Tottenham 5/1; Barcelona 8/1; Real Madrid 10/1; Valencia 12/1; Inter Milan 12/1; Juventus 12/1; England 20/1; AC Milan 20/1. Next manager to leave: Martin Jol 4/6; Sammy Lee 5/2; Billy Davies 4/1; Steve Bruce 14/1; Chris Hutchins 16/1, Lawrie Sanchez, Gareth Southgate 16/1; Alan Curbishley, Roy Keane 20/1. (Editor's Note: Mourinho's departure will have a large effect on Chelsea's price to win the Premier League and the Champions League. Follow all the latest prices on SportingBet!)