Chelsea Fans Prepare Tributes for Jose Mourinho Ahead of Sunderland Game

Tom Webb @@tomwebby92UK Staff WriterDecember 19, 2015

Signage supporting recently departed manager Jose Mourinho is still on show inside the stadium ahead of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GLYN KIRK

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Jose Mourinho's popularity with the Chelsea fans appears to be as strong as ever despite his sacking as the Blues' boss on Thursday.

Chelsea return to competitive action when they host Sunderland at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, where fans are preparing banners and other tributes for the Special One.

The Chelsea Banner Show. pic.twitter.com/jRtr9UyCtr
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) December 19, 2015

A supporter wears a mask bearing the face of Chelsea's former Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015. Jose Mourinho attended the Ch

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A supporter wears a t-shirt featuring Chelsea's former Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015. Jose Mourinho attended the Champions

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Badges featuring Chelsea's former Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho are on sale before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015. Jose Mourinho attended the Championship match

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A man poses by a picture of the Chelsea team and points to Chelsea's former Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015.
AFP PHOTO / IK

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Mourinho's sacking came with Chelsea 16th in the Premier League table and just one point above the relegation zone after a disastrous start to the season.

Calendars featuring Chelsea's former Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho are on sale before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015. Jose Mourinho attended the Championship ma

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Football fans walk past a chalkboard of a cafe wishing Chelsea's former Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho good luck before the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge in London on December 19, 2015. Jose Mour

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Guus Hiddink has been confirmed as interim manager until the end of the season in Mourinho's place. The Dutchman will be hoping to replicate his success in the same role in 2009, when the Blues won the FA Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.