Jose Mourinho’s position as Chelsea manager is back in the spotlight and defeat to his former club Porto on Wednesday could mark the end of his second spell at Stamford Bridge.
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Mourinho was subject of the first managerial vote of confidence in Roman Abramovich’s 12-year ownership on October 5, but two months later there has been little improvement.
Chelsea’s miserable start to the season prompted the public backing, after four wins and five losses in 11 games in all competitions. The record since is the same – four wins, five losses in 11 games – and Abramovich watched part of Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Bournemouth with his face in his hands.
The Premier League holders are two points clear of the relegation zone in 14th place, with Mourinho doubting whether a top-four finish is possible.
Many suggest if Mourinho was to be axed, he would have gone by now, with the lack of alternatives a saving grace. But only Abramovich knows what he will do and, looking at past behaviour, his patience is being severely tested.
Mourinho, who signed a four-year deal until June 2019 in August, thought Chelsea had turned a corner in a goalless draw at Tottenham, but now knows the consequences of a second defeat of the season to Porto in Wednesday’s final Champions League Group G tie could be stark.
With Dynamo Kiev expected to beat Maccabi Tel Aviv, a win would see Chelsea advance as group winners and in second with a draw. Defeat would see them fall into the Europa League and the last manager to preside over such a debacle was Roberto di Matteo, who was promptly replaced by Rafael Benitez.
Mourinho says the situation has become so grave that he can no longer target top four and that top six might be more realistic. [Telegraph]
— Chelsea HQ (@Chelsea_HQ) December 6, 2015
“It’s a knockout game,” Mourinho told Chelsea TV. “It’s a group phase where normally you still play for points. But the reality is that it’s a knockout. Chelsea or Porto, one will be out. For sure, a big game.”
The Portuguese again bemoaned missed opportunities against Bournemouth, who last season won the Championship, but afterwards repeated his claim he would not seek transfer activity in January.
“I have to be honest and say I was not expecting this result,” Mourinho said. “The team was in a good moment, working well, playing well. Of course not scoring enough goals. We didn’t score against Stoke, we didn’t against Tottenham. We scored one goal against Norwich.
“Scoring goals is a lot about individuals. The creation is collective, but the finishing is something very individual and at this moment we’re not having that.”
