A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days

Jose Mourinho quit as manager of Chelsea late Wednesday, one day after the team was held to a 1-1 tie by Rosenborg in its European Champions League opener.

"Chelsea Football Club and Jose Mourinho have agreed to part company today by mutual consent," the English team said early Thursday on its Web site.

Chelsea is fifth in the English Premier League at 3-1-2 and plays at Manchester United on Sunday.

A tribute to Mourinho can be found here. It is correct in stating that his successor will have a tough act to follow and I have to believe that in the short term, at least, Chelsea will suffer as it seeks to acclimate itself to the change in leadership that is needed thanks to Mourinho's departure.

Whatever the circumstances leading to his resignation, Mourinho deserves massive amounts of credit for what he was able to achieve on Chelsea's behalf. He will be deeply missed.