Sir Alex Ferguson backs Jose Mourinho to get Chelsea back on track in the EPL

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has got the backing of Sir Alex Ferguson

While Jose Mourinho has been under fire for Chelsea’s performances in the league this season, he has the backing of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, as reported by ESPN. The Blues, who steamrolled past opponents to the league title last season, are currently 16th in the table after eight games.

Mourinho’s side have failed to impress and have lost four of the eight games so far, winning just twice since the season started in early August. They have scored just 12 goals but have conceded 17 so far. To put things in perspective, they were leading the table at this point last season with 22 points, scoring 23 goals and conceding only 8.

Ferguson, currently in the US to promote his new book Leading, was as shocked as everyone else after the poor start to the season.

“For Jose, it's probably the first time it's come up, a situation whereby his team is now fifth-bottom of the week. Unbelievable,” Ferguson said.

“Everyone, including myself, are thinking they were going to be difficult to beat. But great managers find solutions.”

Mourinho’s interview was a call for support: Ferguson

Mourinho had said after the defeat to Southampton, in a seven-minute rant, that if the club wanted to sack him, they could.

“If the club want to sack me they have to sack me because I am not running away from my responsibilities or my team.” – Mourinho

And Sir Alex mentioned how the Portuguese boss had challenged club owner Roman Abramovich to stand with him as he tries to bring Chelsea back into the top four at least.

“I think that Jose's press conference the other day was challenging the owner to support him in a bad time,” the Scot said.

“At times you maybe don't think you're getting complete support from everyone, but it happens. It's not always correct, and I don't think it's correct what Jose's thinking at the moment. I think he's got the support.”

Sir Alex Ferguson is currently promoting his new book Leading

Mourinho will get Chelsea back on track: Ferguson

The 73-year-old was confident that Mourinho would turn things around and pointed out the problems he was currently facing in his squad.

“He will find a solution. It may take a few weeks, but you've got to remember, he's lost his goalkeeper [Thibaut] Courtois, who's a fantastic goalkeeper.” Courtois had injured his knee in training last month and is expected to be out for a ‘long time’, at least until the end of the year.

“John Terry is in a little difficulty adjusting to his last season maybe, who knows,” Ferguson continued.”He played every game last season, the best central defender they've ever had, and he's in a difficult time.

When asked if Mourinho would walk away if the players no longer supported him, Ferguson brushed it away as a non-issue: “I think, knowing Jose Mourinho and the one thing I always admired about him and his team, they always play for him, they always try, so the ingredients are correct,” Ferguson explained.

“He just has to find the solution to get his team back on track and I think he'll do it.”