LONDON (AP):

JOSé MOURINHO quit as manager of Chelsea yesterday, one day after the club was held to a 1-1 draw by Rosenborg in the European Champions League.

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

The Portuguese coach led Chelsea to two straight English Premier League titles, and won both the FA Cup and the League Cup during his tenure. But twice losing in the semi-finals of the Champions League put him at odds with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

The BBC reported that Mourinho sent text messages to five players last night to say he was leaving.

Mourinho won the Champions League title with FC Porto in 2004, and moved to Chelsea the next season. Since his arrival, Abramovich has spent millions to acquire players with an eye toward winning the European crown.

The Blues made the semi-finals in 2005 and again in 2007, but lost to Premier League rivals Liverpool each time. In 2006, Chelsea lost to eventual champions FC Barcelona in the second round.