Former Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen believes Jose Mourinho was too demanding of his players as the team could not cope with the Portuguese's intensity.

Mourinho guided Chelsea to the Premier League title and League Cup in 2014-15, but was eventually fired in December last year after a dismal start to this season.

On Monday, midfielder Cesc Fabregas stated that Mourinho gave the players extra time off following their title win, and the Spaniard felt he and his team-mates had let the manager down in their defence of the crown.

But Arnesen believes Mourinho's methods were ultimately what cost him his position at Stamford Bridge.

"Mourinho is very demanding and sometimes the players can't take it," Arnesen told Omnisport.

"He made some drastic changes and it cost him."

Mourinho eventually made way for caretaker boss Guus Hiddink, who will be replaced by Antonio Conte come the end of the season and Arnesen has high hopes the former Juventus coach will succeed.

"Conte has the winning mentality in his blood," Arnesen added. "He is disciplined and tactically very strong.

"But we don't know how he will deal with the pressure at Chelsea."