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.
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."
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