LONDON (Reuters):

AVRAM GRANT and Steve Clarke took charge of Chelsea yesterday following the spectacular exit of coach Jose Mourinho in the early hours of the morning.

An announcement on Chelsea's website (www.chelseafc.com) confirmed they were in control of the team, but did not say if their jobs were permanent.

The two men took their first training session yesterday morning after Mourinho had visited the training complex in Cobham, south of London, to say farewell to his players.

Backroom staff going

With Mourinho gone, the club was also expected to confirm that most of his backroom staff was leaving with him.

News of the end of Mourinho's successful three-year reign provoked a reaction from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

His spokesman said in a statement: "The Prime Minister is a football fan and is someone who enjoys watching Premiership games, so he knows Mr. Mourinho has a fantastic record of success, that he has made a significant contribution to British football in a short period of time and that he is also one of the great characters of the game."

Supporters gathered at Stamford Bridge to demonstrate against Mourinho's exit later in the day.