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London - Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas told Jose Mourinho "we will all miss you" after he was dismissed as manager of the struggling Premier League champions on Thursday.
"Thank you for all you have done for me," Fabregas wrote on Twitter, alongside a picture of the pair celebrating Chelsea's league title success last May.
"I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future."
Fabregas is one of several players whose performance level has plummeted this season as Chelsea have lost nine of their 16 league games, leaving them a point above the relegation zone.
Chelsea's players publicly backed Mourinho throughout the team's struggles, but former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness believes that some of them had effectively downed tools.
"I think he's lost his dressing room and some of the major players in the dressing room have given up on him," Souness told Sky Sports News.
"If you fall out with two or three of the main men in the dressing room, that would quickly become all of the dressing room.
"If you look at the quality of players Chelsea have right now, where they are in the league is ridiculous. They should not be down there."
Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry said: "It's kind of a mixed reaction because I was kind of expecting it because Chelsea needed to change something and spark a reaction from the players.
"But also on the contrary, they're sacking the best manager in their history and also one of the best ever in the game.
"I think you have to hold the players accountable for what's been happening recently. But you can't sack all the players so the thing teams usually do is sack the manager."
Former Liverpool and England midfielder Jamie Redknapp, whose cousin Frank Lampard played for Chelsea during Mourinho's first spell in charge, said: "I wasn't that surprised. A lot of players who have fallen out with him will be pleased to see the back of him.
"This is a wonderful opportunity for someone coming in because make no mistake whoever comes in, that club is going to fly now.
"They're going to win a lot of games and in a way prove it's not just about Jose Mourinho.
"I think he needs a break from the game. He's looked very stressed this season and has pretty much had fights with everyone. That can't be healthy for him."
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino said there was no doubt Mourinho had run out of answers to the team's problems.
"I really felt there was no alternative after Monday night in the way they lost the game," Cascarino said.
"Chelsea Football Club is an empire. (Chelsea owner) Roman (Abramovich) had backed him and backed him and it was defeat after defeat.
"As great a manager as I think Jose is, even the greatest have to fall some time."
However, League Managers Association chief Richard Bevan said he was stunned by the speed of Mourinho's exit.
"I was actually too (shocked) on this occasion," Bevan said.
"He's an absolute iconic manager, he put Chelsea firmly on the map, the most important manager in their history.
"He was last season's manager of the year. He's a passionate man with a magnificent work ethic and immense knowledge."
A spokesperson for British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed sympathy, but also used the opportunity to trumpet the government's handling of the UK economy.
"The Prime Minister is always sad to see anyone lose their job," he said.
"But it's worth reflecting on this week's labour market statistics, which demonstrated that there are over 740 000 vacancies in the UK economy, thanks to the excellent stewardship of the economy."
Thank you for all you have done for me. I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future. pic.twitter.com/RQlOTFrtzU
— Cesc Fàbregas Soler (@cesc4official) December 17, 2015
