Ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has come out in support of under-pressure Chelsea FC boss Jose Mourinho.
The Scot developed an evidently amicable relationship with Mourinho throughout their clashes during the latter’s first Premier League tenure. Great mutual respect between the pair lent itself to fierce, yet good-spirited, tactical battles each time United squared off with the Blues.
With Mourinho’s job now under severe pressure after yet another Premier League loss against Bournemouth last Saturday, Ferguson has come out in defence of the Portuguese tactician. Speaking during the TechCrunch Disrupt event in London, the managerial legend claimed that Roman Abramovich would have learnt from earlier mistakes and will consequently be more patient with Mourinho.
"[Roman Abramovich] has sacked so many coaches in the last 10 years that I am sure he has learned by it. He has to trust and have confidence Jose can turn around. There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time.Source: Sky Sports."
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Eddie Howe’s Cherries side handed Chelsea their eighth Premier League loss of the season so far, leaving them in 14th position with just 15 points. In terms of their tally, the Blues are currently closer to 19th-placed Sunderland than West Brom in the spot above them.
After a three-match unbeaten streak that encompassed three clean sheets, it was hoped that Chelsea were on the verge of turning the proverbial corner. However, the defeat last weekend brought the Blues crashing back down to Earth while the pressure was once again heaped on Mourinho.
Abramovich has thus far been relatively patient with the Special One and the club even released a statement a month or so ago to reinforce their faith in the current management staff. Having said that, improvements were indeed expected.
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The more optimistic of Chelsea fans will believe that Saturday’s setback was merely a case of two steps forward, one step back. However, the many who thought that the club were lucky to have escaped with results against Norwich City and Tottenham Hotspur now feel justified in their beliefs.
Ferguson has always been a fan of Mourinho ever since the Portuguese arrived on these shores and his intervention will certainly be appreciated by the Chelsea boss. The United great has also been under pressure throughout his career, but he was always afforded time to put things straight.
Sir Alex was never fighting relegation, though, and this situation is beyond a nightmare. Chelsea may have struggled to defend their Premier League title, but they certainly were not expecting issues in making the top four, let alone the top half.
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Chelsea’s clash against Porto on Wednesday night will undoubtedly be a tense affair. Rumours are swirling that Mourinho may be relieved of his duties by the time kick-off comes around. A loss could easily guarantee his sacking in the aftermath.
Dark days indeed.