Jose Mourinho Thanks Sir Alex Ferguson for His Support & Hit outs At ‘Fake Friends’

With people in high places rushing to Jose Mourinho’s side, the Chelsea manager used Sir Alex Ferguson’s kind words to highlight some of his ‘fake friends’ in football.

On Wednesday evening, when Chelsea face his former club Porto in a game they cannot afford to lose, he will discover whether the enemy is within.

‘This is the difference between the friends and the fake friends,’ said Mourinho. ‘The ones who are not even fake friends are honest and show immediately their feelings towards you.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at ‘the fake friends’ in football ahead of his side’s clash with Porto

During Tuesday’s press conference, Mourinho used Sir Alex Ferguson’s kind words to highlight his critics

‘Sir Alex is my friend and obviously the words are very nice words. I believe he’s not the kind of person who says things just because he likes somebody. During his whole career he has shown he’s honest in his analysis and I thank him.’

So who are the imposters, the characters who lack sincerity when they come face-to-face with one of the most successful coaches in the modern game? Not us, say the players.

‘Who says we don’t have the same commitment?’ asked Thibaut Courtois when he appeared at Chelsea’s training ground on Tuesday lunchtime.

‘Results don’t say we are not committed to the manager. We were better than some teams, but lost.

‘It’s not that we are not playing with the same commitment as the manager. The results just haven’t been there. We’re still confident in the manager and we are trying to get out of this with him.’

The players fooled nobody on Saturday. Then, their lack of commitment and conviction to zap Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth were the reasons why they lost to Glenn Murray’s 82nd-minute header.

If there is yet another setback on Wednesday evening, Mourinho’s Chelsea could find themselves in the draw for the last 32 of the Europa League.

It was not that long ago when Mourinho claimed Chelsea were of such standing, such stature, that the club belonged in European football’s elite competition. He may have to talk his way out of that one.

‘In this moment, to win the Europa League might be an easier way to be in the Champions League next season than to finish in the top four,’ added Mourinho.

‘But there is another possibility: to win the Champions League. It’s harder than winning the Europa League, but this is the competition we are in.