LONDON • Jose Mourinho's job could be on the line when Chelsea host Porto in the Champions League today and Alex Ferguson has urged the Londoners not to jettison their manager even if the result goes against them.
Woefully out-of-form Chelsea have already lost 11 matches in all competitions this season but need only a draw against Porto to qualify for the knockout stage.
Former Manchester United great Ferguson said Russian owner Roman Abramovich must ignore the criticism the club are receiving and keep faith in Mourinho.
"He has sacked so many coaches in the last 10 years that I am sure he has learnt by it.
"He has to trust and have confidence Jose can turn it around," Ferguson told the Daily Telegraph.
"There is no point in sacking one of the best coaches of all time - he's won the European Cup twice, he's won the league in each country he's managed in, he's won the big trophies," he added.
"It would be foolish to take that step to sack him. That would be bad management."
Ferguson, who enjoyed great success during his 27-year spell as United manager, also said he was "worried" that Juergen Klopp's move to Liverpool would elevate the Reds above United.
The last of Liverpool's 18 English league titles came in 1990.
The Reds hired Klopp in October and have lost just two of their 12 games since, prompting the Scot to express confidence that the former Borussia Dortmund boss will transform the Anfield outfit's fortunes.
"I'm worried about him because one thing United don't want is Liverpool to be above us, that's for sure.
"He's a fantastic personality, he's got that great confidence in himself," he said.
"His big, white teeth are always showing he's enjoying it.
"I know him quite well from the coaching seminars we have and I got a text from him the other day.
"He's going to make a difference to that club, there's absolutely no doubt about it.
He's got the personality, he's got the drive, he's got the knowledge and a great presence about him so I think things are looking up there," Ferguson added.
REUTERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
