Mourinho’s fate in Chelsea still hangs in the balance

JOSE Mourinho was yesterday preparing as normal for Chelsea’s next match, with everyone wondering whether owner Roman Abramovich will stick or twist.

Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Dynamo Kiev and next Saturday’s Premier League game at Stoke have additional significance after Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool inflicted another defeat on Mourinho’s beleaguered side, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The 52-year-old Portuguese was subject of the first managerial vote of confidence in Abramovich’s 12-year ownership on October 5, in the wake of a home loss to Southampton.

The caveat was that results had to improve, but Chelsea have won one of their five games since.

Abramovich has wielded the managerial axe with regularity when a place in the Premier League’s top four and qualification for the Champions League has been in danger.

Chelsea are 15th after six losses in the opening 11 games – 10 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United – and the question is whether Abramovich will show patience with Mourinho, the most successful manager in the club’s history.

It is understood the Chelsea board’s position is unchanged since the statement four weeks ago, with Abramovich prepared to give Mourinho time to climb out of the current predicament.