Chelsea already in negotiations with Jose Mourinho replacements after Stoke defeat

Mourinho is said to have Abramovich's support, but results must pick up for him to keep his job

JOSE MOURINHO was last night on the brink of being sacked as Chelsea slipped even closer towards the relegation zone.

 

With Mourinho tucked away in a local hotel observing his team’s latest disaster – it’s now seven Premier League defeats -  after being handed a one match stadium ban, his players failed to respond.

The Portuguese has also created an unwanted record – the first manager during the Roman Abramovich reign to lose three consecutive league games.

Now it’s likely that the demanding Russian owner who has so far stuck by his under fire boss will now take action.

 

Sunday News News Blog Sport can reveal that contingency plans are already in place if Mourinho is removed.

There is a short list of three managers who would be invited to take over the Stamford Bridge helm until the summer.

They are former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers, a former youth team coach at Chelsea, Roberto Di Matteo, sacked by Abramovich despite winning the Champions League and another former boss Guus Hiddink.

 

We can also reveal that another ex-Chelsea employee Carlo Ancelotti  has been considered but he doesn’t want to be a short term appointment.

Chelsea have also sounded out Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone but he is staying put until the summer.

On Saturday night, Mourinho appeared to be a dead man walking, unable to observe the last rites from the touchline.

Keeper Asmir Begovic admits that Mourinho’s future is out of the players’ hands. He revealed: “Jose Mourinho did the pre-match talk at the hotel and that was it. We are behind the manager. You can see that from our performance.”

Combative striker Diego Costa could also find himself in trouble with the FA after being reported by a Stoke steward to the referee Anthony Taylor, the Britannia employee claiming he was stamped on by the Chelsea player as he attempted to collect the ball.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes whose side also knocked out his former club in the League Cup last month said: “It was a good day at the office. Chelsea are a good side but we asked questions that maybe others wouldn't.

"Credit to Loic Remy [for not going down for a penalty) but he is a natural striker and I would have done the same."