Jose Mourinho's decision to take the Manchester United job after leaving Chelsea is an act of treachery, former Blues defender Frank Leboeuf has jokingly said.
United announced the appointment of Mourinho on a three-year contract to succeed Louis van Gaal on Friday, with the Portuguese saying he feels honoured to manage a club that has "a mystique and romance about it which no other club can match."
Mourinho's comments have angered some Chelsea supporters, who remained supportive of the 53-year-old right up until his sacking by Roman Abramovich in December, having presided over a disastrous Premier League title defence and what technical director Michael Emenalo described as "palpable discord" between the players and management.
And Leboeuf -- who won four major trophies in six years at Stamford Bridge from 1996 to 2001 -- says he is surprised that Mourinho has joined one of Chelsea's biggest rivals, though he admits he can understand the decision.
"This is treachery!" Leboeuf joked. "I am a former Chelsea player and now a fan of Chelsea. Jose Mourinho could go anywhere except Manchester United, especially after his escapades with Sir Alex Ferguson.
"No, just kidding. But under the cover of loyalty I always thought then when you belonged to an English club you could not go to another English club. When you have a big club like Chelsea, then you go to Manchester United, it bothers me a little. But I can understand his career plan."