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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has insisted he will only quit the club if he loses the backing of his players, as per the reports on ESPN. Mourinho's men suffered yet another shocking 3-1 defeat to Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and the manager is under enormous pressure to turn the club’s fortune around this season.
It hasn’t gone according to plan for the reigning English champions who are currently sitting 16th in the league with just 8 points from 8 games. Who would have expected Mourinho to be in the midst of the worst run of his trophy-laden career? However, the Portuguese tactician remains positive and has insisted he remains happy with his handling of Chelsea’s torrid season.
"I am not afraid, I'm not crying, I'm not desperate.'' Mourinho said.
Mourinho suggests media speak directly to players
The post-match interview that followed right after his team suffered a defeat against Ronald Koeman’s men stunned everyone with his 7-minute outburst. The 53-year-old mentioned in the interview he wouldn’t resign and has suggested the media to speak directly to the players who are not going off for international duty, including club captain John Terry, to know whether the manager has the backing of his players, rather than report speculation.
"People can say what they want. I think you should go straight to the players,'' Mourinho said.
"Get a table at Cobham [Chelsea's training ground] next week, John Terry doesn't go to the national team, Diego Costa doesn't go, Ramires doesn't go. Ask them.”
"If they tell you they don't trust me, [that] is the only thing that can make me resign. The only thing. But not fake sources. The players at the table.''
Despite making a horrible start to their season with already 4 defeats in the league, including 2 at home, Mourinho believes he has handled the spell well.
"In this moment it's not so easy and my feelings – I'm so unhappy with the sport feeling of defeat but I am so happy with myself with the way I am facing this.''
Luck and confidence boost is all we need right now: Mourinho
Some of Chelsea players have been finding it really difficult to rediscover their stunning form from last season’s title-winning campaign. Players like Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard, Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic and John Terry have been on the receiving end of criticism by pundits and supporters. However, the club manager remains confident that his squad has the quality and a little bit of confidence boost will help to turn their season around.
"Only Mother Nature can do it,'' he said.
"They need to feel luck, they need to arrive at half-time winning 2-0, 3-0.”
"They need to fly without pressure, they need to play and feel that everything is going in their favour. Not to feel this pressure, this panic, this negativity. Decisions against, unlucky, mistakes.”
"They need it. Time will bring it. I don't know next match, in two matches, in three. For sure they will get that confidence back, for sure.''
