Andre Villas-Boas backs Jose Mourinho to reignite Chelsea's season
Wednesday 4 November 2015 20:40, UK
Former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has backed Jose Mourinho to come through the club's current crisis.
Villas-Boas worked under Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, before taking charge of the Blues himself for an ill-fated nine months during the 2011/12 season.
His spell at Stamford Bridge ended prematurely after a 1-0 defeat to West Brom in March 2012 left Chelsea three points adrift of Arsenal in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea eventually finished sixth behind Tottenham and Newcastle, but qualified for the Champions League after interim boss Roberto Di Matteo guided the club to a penalty shoot-out victory over Bayern Munich in the final.
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Currently managing Zenit St Petersburg, Villas-Boas offered support for his former boss but admitted that having been in a similar position before, it will be difficult for Mourinho now that results have started to go against him.
"It's very tough for me to speak about this kind of situation," Villas-Boas said. "I've been there before myself. It's a difficult position, when you start to get defeats in a row.
"In order to be able to get through it, you need to get some amazing results. That's the way to get rid of that kind of crisis.
Chelsea have the opportunity to ease the pressure on Mourinho with victory over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League, with the club's qualification for the knock-out round in the balance.
The Blues currently sit third in Group G with four points from their first three games, a point behind their Ukrainian opponents and three behind top of the table Porto.
The two managers have not always seen eye-to-eye, but Villas-Boas believes Mourinho will get Chelsea back on track, describing the 52-year-old as a "pioneer" for Portuguese coaches.
"In my opinion, Jose has the qualities to be able to get through it," Villas-Boas continued. "He has a lot of experience. He's the reference point in terms of head coaches in Portugal.
"He's the pioneer that led the way for head coaches in Portugal. We speak about someone who has never known something like this before. He's a winner when it comes to football. I think he will get through it."
Wesley Sneijder, who played under Mourinho at Inter Milan, also backed Mourinho to steer Chelsea through their current troubles.
Sneijder won a Serie A title, a Coppa Italia and the Champions League with Mourinho, and the Netherlands international urged the club to think twice before letting a manager of Mourinho's reputation go.
"If he's sacked it will be a mistake because Chelsea will not find a better coach," Sneijder told O Jogo. "He's the best, and he's particularly the best for Chelsea. Do not say goodbye to him."
