Mourinho warns Chelsea have to sack him as he will not walk away

Matt McGeehan 06:35 04/10/2015
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  • Staying put: Jose Mourinho.

    Jose Mourinho challenged Chelsea to stick with him or sack him after the capitulation to Southampton.

    Captain John Terry was restored but Saints exposed the now familiar failings in the Blues defence which just five months ago formed the foundation for winning the title, with goals from Steven Davis, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle earning a 3-1 win, their first at Stamford Bridge since January 2002.

    The Blues, who had taken the lead through Willian’s free-kick, were booed off after a fourth loss in eight Premier League games left them 16th in the table.

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    In a seven-minute exchange with Sky Sports post-match, Mourinho said: “If the club want to sack me, they have to sack me because I’m not running away from my responsibility and my team.

    This is a crucial moment in the history of this club because if the club sacks me, they sack the best manager this club had and the message is bad results and the manager is guilty.”

    He later added in his post-match media conference: “No way I resign. No way. Why? Because Chelsea cannot have a better manager than me. I want the best for my club and the best for my club is for me to stay.”

    Mourinho is in his second spell as Chelsea boss, his first from June 2004 was filled with success before unravelling in September 2007. The 52-year-old, who was reappointed in June 2013 and signed a new four-year contract in August, insisted no alternative offer could persuade him to leave Stamford Bridge.

    He insists Chelsea have learned from the managerial hirings and firings of Roman Abramovich’s 12-year ownership and does not bel-ieve the Russian should speak out in support for the first time.

    “The owner’s profile all over these years of not speaking is fabulous. I would love to do the same,” added Mourinho, who declined to say when he would next see Abramovich, who was at the match.

    “The owner has that privilege. I don’t think the owner needs a word, not even the club, the board, nobody. Not at all.

    “When I was contacted to be back, I was told we had so many managers, we know you are the best. So I think it’s time for the club to act in a different way, to mark a position, a position of stability, a position of trust.”

    Mourinho maintains belief a top-four finish is probable. He has almost conceded defeat in the title race, though, with Manchester City 10 points ahead.

    “To be champions will be very difficult. Ten points (to) Man City, maybe tomorrow 11 points (to) Man United,” Mourinho added. “In football it’s not impossible, but I think very difficult. Top four is completely – I don’t say easy – but doable.”

    Mourinho, who also complained that “referees are afraid to give decisions for Chelsea”, maintains he has the support of his players.

    “Do the players trust me and feel that I am the man for the job? This week we spoke about it and the ans-wer was undoubted,” he added.

    Mourinho refused to analyse individuals, but denied humiliating Nemanja Matic, a half-time substitute who was hauled off 28 minutes later. “I don’t do that to anyone in football and in life,” Mourinho said.

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