Support: Chelsea pass vote of confidence in Jose Mourinho

Chelsea have pledged their support to Jose Mourinho in a club statement.

The Blues lost their fourth Premier League game of the season on Saturday, falling 3-1 at home to Southampton.

Willian gave the hosts the lead but Ronald Koeman's men hit back through Steven Davis, Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle as Chelsea slipped to 16th in the table.

After the clash Mourinho stated the club would have to sack him as he wouldn't walk away from Stamford Bridge.

And the champions have responded with a statement, insisting Mourinho has the full backing of the board.

The statement read: "The club wants to make it clear that Jose continues to have our full support.

"As Jose has said himself, results have not been good enough and the team's performances must improve.

"However, we believe that we have the right manager to turn this season around and that he has the squad with which to do it."

Mourinho issued an incredible seven-minute answer to one interview question after the defeat to Southampton.

"If the club wants to sack me, they have to sack me because I am not running away," he said.

"It is a crucial moment in the history of this club because if they sack me they sack the best manager this club has ever had. The message is that the results are the fault of the manager.

"This is a moment for everybody to assume their responsibilities and stick together."

The international break couldn't have come at a better time for Mourinho, with Chelsea not in action until October 17 when they face Aston Villa.

Mourinho is the second-favourite for the next Premier League managerial exit, behind Newcastle chief Steve McClaren.

Credit: Mirror