Villas-Boas fears Abramovich axe

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas concedes he is unsure whether he has the full support of the London club’s owner, Roman Abramovich.

A stuttering Premier League campaign, tallied with poor displays in the FA Cup and Champions League, has heightened pressure on the 34-year-old Portuguese manager in recent weeks.

The former Porto boss has also revealed tensions in the dressing room with the club’s senior players, notably Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.

Villas-Boas admits the current situation at Stamford Bridge resembles that of predecessor Carlo Ancelotti’s reign last year but is uncertain whether he will suffer the same fate as the Italian.

Villas-Boas told TSF: “We are now in the exact same moment as last year, it is an exact copy.”

“I think I have felt the confidence from Abramovich but … the pattern of behaviour of the owner has led to a downfall (of coaches) in similar situations or even better situations.”

“What will be the reaction? It will be one of the two, a continuation of the project and full support or just the cultural pattern that has happened before. We don’t know.”