Mourinho calls for support
15 Apr 2007 - 12:01:23
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has called on billionaire owner Roman Abramovich to take the pressure off him by assuming a more high-profile role with the media.
Mourinho has been linked with a summer departure from Stamford Bridge following a series of reported bust-ups with Abramovich.
The Russian owner has refused to comment on the situation which Mourinho feels has added to the speculation that he will not be at the Chelsea helm next season.
The Portuguese coach has been linked with a host of Europe's leading clubs including Real Madrid and Internazionale, while other reports claim the former Porto boss will be axed at the end of the season if the Blues don't win either the Premiership or Champions League titles.
"If I could choose I wouldn't speak. If people higher in the club speak, I don't speak so much. So please speak and give me some free time," pleaded Mourinho.
"Managers and players have the contractual obligation to come and talk and the other people, they can make a choice.
"I think the same way I take pressure off of my players by speaking more than them, if the people on the top of me could speak and leave me free of this pressure in my life it would be better for me. It would be easier for me.
"Supporters? They know. From me they know everything. Imagine if in the end of the season I tell to the club 'Goodbye, I go', what do the people think about me?
"So no doubts. I've left everything very, very clear. That is what is in my head. If in the end of the season I'm leaving the club you have the right to come to me and say: 'Jose, you are a liar'.
"I told (chief executive) Peter Kenyon that I want to stay in Chelsea and that I refuse to speak with other clubs. I told my agent Jorge Mendes that it is forbidden to speak with other clubs."
