Jose Mourinho had Christmas dinner with Chelsea team at Cobham HQ before sacking

Jose Mourinho enjoyed a festive last supper as Chelsea boss on Thursday before getting the boot.

Mourinho joined his players and staff for Christmas lunch and their annual party at their Cobham training ground.

Then, not long after he finished eating, chairman Bruce Buck and Eugene Tenenbaum arrived at around 2pm to deliver the news in a 10-minute meeting that his second reign as Blues boss was over.

The Special One took training on Thursday and Mirror Sport ­understands he was unaware his second spell in charge was about to come to an abrupt end.

With the club one point above the relegation zone, Mourinho feared he might have been axed on Wednesday when there were ­intensive talks at boardroom level led by owner Roman Abramovich .

But having survived that, he was hopeful he would get the home fixtures againstSunderland and Watford to turn the season around.

The atmosphere on the training ground had been flat but the club released pictures of Thursday’s session at the complex in Cobham, Surrey, strengthening belief Mourinho would be given more time.

When told he was out, Mourinho appeared to be distraught. Chelsea then released a statement saying his departure was by mutual consent.

The axe finally fell because the atmosphere in the Blues dressing room was so toxic it threatened to destroy their campaign.

Mourinho spoke to owner Abramovich and other board members this week as part of detailed discussion following a calamitous run of form.

Despite the esteem in which he is held by the Russian, the decision was taken reluctantly to part with him.

He will go on gardening leave, with Chelsea committed to paying his £250,000-a-week wages until he finds another job

The board were particularly concerned that the players, who face Sunderland on Saturday, would continue to under-perform had Mourinho remained in charge.

Technical director Michael Emenalo said: “While there’s huge sentiment for the individual who has done so much for the club, the fact of the matter is Chelsea Football Club is in trouble.

"The results aren’t good. There seems to be a palpable discord between manager and players and we feel it is time to act.

“The owner is forced to make what was a very tough decision for the good of the club.