Jose Mourinho left Chelsea in 2007 after falling out with Roman Abramovich over transfers

Jose Mourinho's premature exit from Chelsea in 2007 was sparked by a falling out with owner Roman Abramovich over the club's transfer policy.

The Portuguese boss won the Premier League title in each of this first two seasons but after only winning the FA Cup in his third term he departed the club abruptly a month into the 2007/08 campaign.

Reports regarding the departure indicated that Mourinho had clashed with Abramovich, leading to his departure and former defender Juliano Belletti has outlined his version of events, which saw the Chelsea pair disagree over the club's recruitment.

"It was all about a discussion that they [Mourinho and Abramovich] had relating to hiring players," Belletti told Goal.com.

"It was a fight between them. Mourinho never wanted to leave. Of course I was surprised because it was him who hired me. I went to Chelsea to work with him. But that very year we reached the final of the Champions League.

"I talked with people from Chelsea about his return, and things with Abramovich are far easier for him now. Mourinho has control."

Belletti was the last signing made by Mourinho during his first spell at Chelsea in a summer where the club's spending was significantly less than in previous windows.

After Mourinho's exit, Avram Grant was appointed and guided the club to the Champions League final where they lost on penalties to Manchester United.

Away from West London, the career of Belletti was illuminated by a trophy-laden spell at Barcelona where he won two La Liga titles and scored the winner in the European Cup final against Arsenal.

However, the ex-Brazil international said of his time in Spain: "You have more joy playing in the Premier League. It is more fun for the player.

"La Liga is about Barcelona or Real Madrid, and if it is a normal day you win every match. Of course difficulties exist, but it's always Barca and Madrid.

"In England the smallest sides have more chances to take points from the big sides. There is a better environment in the stadiums, it's more fun. In England the atmosphere is more attractive compared to Spain. If I had to choose between them, I'd choose England."