Villas-Boas: Abramovich still behind me

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas says he has the backing of club owner Roman Abramovich, despite the team’s recent poor form.

Chelsea lost 2-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen midweek to put their hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League in doubt, with speculation growing the Portuguese boss could face the axe if his side’s form does not improve soon.

But the former Porto coach is adamant he has the support of the Russian oligarch for the foreseeable future, despite having won just one of their past seven games.

Asked by reporters if he would be given the time needed to instigate a change of fortunes at the west London club, the 34-year-old simply said: “Yes.”

The coach confirmed he and Abramovich had spoken since the loss on Wednesday, but refused to elaborate on what was said in the conversation.

“Everybody wants to get out of a situation like this,” he said.

The manager was also eager to underline the fact there was no panic among the players in the Stamford Bridge dressing room.

“Not critical meetings, no animosity, not insults here and there, no critique whatsoever regarding what we are doing, no doubts whatsoever regarding what we are doing,” Villas-Boas said.

“Self-confidence and self-belief is what we need now and everybody wants to get it.”

“That thing only comes with wins.”

“The philosophy will be the last thing to die at this club. It’s a thing that makes technical staff and players very, very proud.”

Following Guus Hiddink’s recent departure as coach of Turkey, suggestions had been made the Dutchman could be in line to make a return to Stamford Bridge, possibly in a director capacity – something Villas-Boas is against.

“I don’t agree with that,” he said, “I don’t solve problems on my own. I solve them with my group of people and my group of players.”

“I’m not a religious person, so I just hold on to my self-belief and the belief in my players’ talents.”

“The spotlight is something that I don’t think is disturbing to me.”

“It doesn’t disturb me whatsoever. It’s not about me as an individual; it’s about my group of players and this football club.”