Finish Top Four And Keep Your Job – Chelsa Board Tell Jose Mourinho

Though his job is safe for the time being, but the manager's feature at Chelsea is still under a threat. As the club's fate to finish top 4 is close to impossible.

Owner Roman Abramovich decided to stand by Mourinho after the board held a lengthy inquest following the 3-1 defeat to Southampton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Mourinho is being given more time to turn around Chelsea's worst start to a season for 37 years, which has seen them lose six of their first 12 competitive games.

The former Real Madrid coach only signed a new four-year deal worth £8.5million a season in August as a reward for winning the Premier League and Capital One Cup last term.

Chelsea's hierarchy genuinely want Mourinho for the long term and avoid the instability that followed his departure in 2007.

There is also concern over the available candidates to replace him. Jurgen Klopp is set to join Liverpool, while Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to want to return to Stamford Bridge, having been fired in 2011.

However, Saturday's meeting highlighted how Abramovich is already having doubts over Mourinho.

The Russian multi-billionaire is not afraid to sack a manager mid-season, with Luiz Felipe Scolari, Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo all previously paying the price for poor performances.

An improvement in League results will be expected after the international break when they face home games against Aston Villa and Liverpool this month, as well as a trip to West Ham.

Although Chelsea are 16th in the table, they are just seven points off fourth spot, which is held by Crystal Palace. Liverpool and Tottenham, Chelsea's expected competitors for a Champions League place, are just four and five points ahead of the Blues respectively.

Mourinho is convinced he can bridge the gap to the top four, although he has promised to quit if the squad are no longer behind him.

He said: "If they [the players] tell you they don't trust me, that is the only thing that can make me resign."

Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says it is vital everyone stays united behind Mourinho and does not allow their poor form to get to them.

He said: "We need to show great character and not feel sorry for ourselves. We need to work our way out of this. It happens to the best teams and players and we need to stick together."