Paulo Ferreira has reportedly left his role as loan player technical coach at Chelsea, bringing his 18-year association with the club to an end.
Ferreira, 43, joined the Blues from Porto back in 2004 and went on to make 217 appearances over nine playing years at Stamford Bridge.
The Portuguese defender won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, two League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League before hanging up his boots in 2013.
He then transitioned into a role as a loan player technical coach and ambassador, occupying both positions for the last nine years.
However, on the same week that Roman Abramovich has sensationally put the club up for sale, Football.london are reporting that Ferreira has departed Chelsea to head back to his native Portugal.
It is believed his decision is not related to Abramovich's impending sale. The former right-back instead wants to be closer to his family back in Portugal.
Ferreira had also been studying for his coaching badges while carrying out his duties as loan player technical coach and ambassador, meaning a potential move into management could come in the near future.
Former Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who also works as a loan player technical coach at the club, paid tribute to his outgoing colleague with a farewell message on Instagram.
Cudicini posted a photo of Ferreira holding a jigsaw puzzle and wrote: 'Dear Paulino, I’m sure it will keep you busy for sometime! It's a huge loss for me and for the department.
'Your experience, your patience and your humbleness have been fundamental to the success of this department and to the growth of our boys.
'Sharing with you, the pitch first and the office later, it was a great fun…Arrivederci'.
The news of Ferreira's departure is not the most notable in west London this week, nevertheless, as Chelsea are still reeling from Abramovich's decision to sell the club after 19 years.
The Russian has put them on the market amid his country's invasion of Ukraine, which he fears could result in sanctions from the British government.
As a result, he is set to call time on nearly two decades at Stamford Bridge if his rumoured £3billion asking price is met.
American and Swiss tycoons Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss are said to be leading the race to buy him out, but British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe has ruled himself out of the running.