‘I know this wind is really strong,’ says Jose on pressure

Matthew Briggs

Jose Mourinho has accepted that the pressure is on him to reverse Chelsea’s ailing fortunes, but insists his side’s predicament is not his sole responsibility.

Chelsea play Mourinho’s former club Porto on Wednesday night looking to put Premier League woes aside by reaching the Champions League knockout stages.

Mourinho was subject to the first managerial vote of confidence of Roman Abramovich’s 12-year ownership on October 5, but fortunes have hardly improved since.

The defending Barclays Premier League champions are 14th after eight defeats, including at home to newly-promoted Bournemouth last Saturday.

“This is not a one-man responsibility,” Mourinho said.

“There are no ifs. Wins, draw, or lose. I am an optimistic guy. There are no ifs.

“I did lots of good things in this club for the owner to know the quality I have. And if the owner shows me that belief twice – one when he brought me back to the club, the second time when he gave me a new contract, for four years – I don’t think the owner is a person to change with the wind.

“I know the wind with the results is an important wind. I know this wind is really strong, because the results in the Premier League are really bad, but I think the owner knows who I am, what I gave to the club and the owner believes I am the right person to do the job.

“Now I don’t speak about the owner. I speak just about the reality of the situation. You can read these bad results and focus everything on the manager.

“You can look at the results and look to players with performances below acceptable.

“You can look to this and look to the unlucky decisions that we are having in every competition, not just the Premier League.

“You can look in many directions and you can decide.”