Hazard reveals he apologised to Mourinho after Chelsea sacking

Chelsea's misfiring striker Eden Hazard, who failed to replicate his rich vein of form from last season, has revealed that he had apologised to Jose Mourinho via a text message in the aftermath of the sacking of the former manager.

Mourinho was axed by Chelsea in December after guiding them to the Premier League title, with the defending champions languishing near the relegation zone in the wake of his strained relationship with several members of the squad.

Hazard said that he had texted Mourinho to say sorry after the Portuguese manager parted ways with the Stamford Bridge club, adding that he felt a little bit guilty as he underperformed despite being the player of the year, the Mirror reported.

The Belgian international, however, lamented the shocking collapse of the reigning champions saying, "For a team of champions to go through what we have this year even I can't explain."

Chelsea are 13th in the league standings and host Manchester United on Sunday in their bid to continue their slow ascent up the Premier League table.