Liverpool defeat could be last straw for Mourinho at Chelsea

Another loss, albeit on penalties, has seen the pressure mount on Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, as Ladbrokes make him favourite to be the next manager to be given his P45, but could his dismissal come as soon as next week?

The Portuguese manager is Evens to be the next Premier League gaffer to be shown the door following his side’s loss to Stoke in the Capital One Cup.

Next up for the Blues is a tricky Saturday lunch-time visit of a Liverpool side still looking to give Jurgen Klopp his first league win as Reds boss.

The visitors will be keen to take advantage of a labouring Chelsea outfit and if they continue to pile on the misery, it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see Roman Abramovich pull the trigger.

Ladbrokes make it 6/1 that the capital club fall to Klopp’s men and find themselves with no manager before their next game in a week’s time.

A loss in the west London would mean Chelsea will have picked up just one win in their last eight games.

Ordinarily that would be enough for the Russian owner to say enough is enough.

Roberto Di Matteo was given his marching orders after picking up one win in five, while Andre Villas Boas’ recent record at the time of his sacking was similar to the Special One’s, with just a solitary victory in eight.

Luiz Felipe Scolari actually won four of his final six games in charge at Stamford Bridge, with a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool, coincidentally enough, his penultimate match in charge.

Although unlikely – with Norwich away at Manchester City – Chelsea could find themselves one place above the relegation zone if results go against them at the weekend.

But if Abramovich does reach the end of his tether soon, sacking Mourinho is likely to cost Chelsea a pretty penny according to reports.

ESPN have reported that the club would have to shell out £30m to their manager should they wish to see him depart.

Some theories have therefore suggested that it is unlikely that Mourinho will resign, and would rather wait for the club to make the move, securing a hefty pay-out.

Whether the club’s hierarchy believe an ideal replacement is out there at this point, midway through a season, could even see them opt to see out the season with the former Porto man in charge.

Ladbrokes odds of 5/4 that Mourinho is still in the hot-seat come the end of the term suggest that whether he turns things around or not, it is no guarantee that we will see a change of management on the Fulham Road before the campaign is out.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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