Jose Mourinho's Future Reportedly Hinges on Chelsea vs. Liverpool Game
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reportedly has less than a week to save his job—and must avoid losing to Liverpool on Saturday in order to do so.
Writing under the headline "Jose Mourinho Faces the Sack if Chelsea Lose Against Liverpool," Neil McLeman of the Daily Mirror reports that concerns over Chelsea's continued struggles on the pitch—and the manager's conduct off it—could see the club take drastic action if the Blues sink to their sixth Premier League defeat of the season against the Reds.
Further, the Daily Mail's Sami Mokbel reports Mourinho's position is currently "under review" with former Blues bosses Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti potential candidates for his replacement—the latter in particular is described as "interested."
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Mokbel also notes Chelsea could choose to make an immediate change, reporting: "It is possible that Mourinho will be given this week to save his job with a Capital One Cup clash versus Stoke [City] and the home league visit of Liverpool on the horizon but a decision could come before then."
Similar stories are being reported by several other outlets including the Express and the Daily Star, per the BBC's Neil Henderson:
The Blues are currently languishing in 15th place in the Premier League having won just three games all season.
Football writer Miguel Delaney explained some of their struggles following the 2-1 defeat to West Ham United on Saturday:
Their previously rock-solid defence has shipped an astonishing 19 goals—better only than Newcastle United, Bournemouth and Norwich City.
Mourinho himself has looked increasingly desperate with a series of bizarre and prickly press conferences and interviews, in which he has refused to answer even the most light-hearted of questions, dared the club to sack him or directed his anger at his medical staff—which, ultimately, led to club doctor Eva Carneiro leaving the club.
Delaney believes owner Roman Abramovich—not known for his patience with managers—is giving the Special One time to turn things around, but acknowledges that could quickly change:
A win against Stoke in the League Cup isn't likely to have an impact on Mourinho's future, but a loss would certainly heap further pressure ahead of the Liverpool game.
A home defeat to Liverpool would be a serious blow to the Blues' chances of salvaging a top-four finish from their disastrous campaign though, so his dismissal would not be at all surprising should that come to pass.
If Mourinho should be fired, Chelsea fans would likely welcome Hiddink or Ancelotti back to the club.
The Dutchman managed the Blues for just a matter of months in the 2008-09 season after Luiz Felipe Scolari's departure, but guided the club to an FA Cup win in that time.
Ancelotti would probably be an even more popular choice. The three-time Champions League-winning manager secured a Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season at Stamford Bridge, and, like Hiddink, he is currently available after leaving Real Madrid in the summer.
Mourinho hasn't been fired yet, but one thing is clear—win or lose, Chelsea's match with Liverpool is one that will have a huge impact on the Blues' season.
