Bullish Jose Mourinho ready for a fight

For a manager again in danger of losing his job if he loses his next game, Jose Mourinho didn’t give away any signs of pressure in his demeanour ahead of Chelsea’s decisive Champions League match with FC Porto.

Some of his words, though, were a slightly different matter. This was an oddly relaxed Mourinho far removed from the prickly figure he cut when Chelsea were at their worst this season, but still nowhere near as forceful as when he is at his best. He said too many eyebrow-raising things, and offered one big statement of self-protection and self-preservation. The latter was despite the fact he completely dismissed the idea of getting sacked, as Chelsea try to claim the draw that will also keep them in the Champions League.

Mourinho had been asked what might happen if he loses, and his side are eliminated.