Chelsea boss issues defiant rallying cry ahead of Champions League group stage opener

Mourinho insists he is on good terms with owner Roman Abramovich despite poor start to the season

JOSE MOURINHO has issued a defiant rallying cry as Chelsea embark on the Champions League after the worst start of his managerial career: "We know what we are - champions of England."

 

Chelsea have picked up just four points from their first five Premier league matches - and suffered an unprecedented three losses in that spell. They have conceded more goals ­- 12 - than any other top-flight side and are one place above the relegation zone.

But as his battered side prepared to face Maccabi Tel Aviv at Stamford Bridge tonight, Mourinho said: "Three months ago we were the best team in the country, the best manager, the best players. We're not happy but we know what we are - and what we are is what the fans sing every game: champions of England.

 

"Even though we have started so badly - and it really is badly - somebody cannot take that away. Nobody can steal our trophies, our history. "You can try, but you can't do that. We know what we are. Champions of England."

And he even tried to assure people that he was fine personally too, despite a less-than-happy demeanor than we are used to.

" I am fine, I promise you," he said. "I'm not happy. I'm not used to losing so many times, but I'm adapting. I'm not adapting to losing but to the situation, the challenge to have to improve."

Mourinho, who saw his team thumped 3-1 at Everton on Saturday, had a row with Toffees manager Roberto Martinez after the game.

 

But the Chelsea boss, who signed a new four-year contract just before the start of the season, has insisted his job is safe, that he will not walk away and that it is business as usual at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho, who says he is still on good terms with owner Roman Abramovich, unlike in 2007 when the duo fell out and his first spell in charge ended, said: "Some managers can be in difficult situations for five, six or 10 years. I am the current champion of England: why should I be in trouble?

"Of course we are not all smiles, laughing and joking. When people are not getting the success that they work for - and I promise you we work a lot - people are frustrated and not happy.

"But it's sad that people go in other directions and try to find problems that don't exist. The only real problem we have is that we don't have good results. At other clubs you have to go back two, three, five, six, 10 years to remember good results. In our case you have to go back only three months."

 

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho issues defiant rallying cry before Champions League tie

Mourinho, whose side reached only the first knockout round last year after crashing out in the semi-finals in 2013, added: "It is important to win at home. In the Champions League we have to qualify. We are a Champions League team, not a Europa League team. For our status and for the club economically, we have to qualify."

There were reports of problems within the squad this week but Mourinho has insisted there have been no showdowns or crisis meetings, as there have been in the past at Chelsea when things have been going wrong.

"I like people to communicate," he said. "You don't need to scream to communicate. You don't need to fight. Communication is very important and I try to improve my teams at that level.

"After that, fights or no fights, it's not important. If it happens sometimes between people who like each other very much, it's not a drama. But we haven't arrived at that situation."