Villas-Boas: Future uncertain

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AVB loses player backing

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admits he does not have the complete backing of his squad, but says he is only concerned about pleasing club owner Roman Abramovich.

The Portuguese tactician has come under increasing pressure over the course of the season, with last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Everton leaving the Blues fifth in the standings and Villas-Boas sweating over the future of his job.

The former Porto boss called a team meeting following the defeat at Goodison Park, and while he denies claims of a player mutiny, he admitted his vision for the future is not entirely in sync with that of the squad.

However, the 34-year-old believes it is not for the players to agree or disagree with the manager’s plans, and that his only intentions are to please the Stamford Bridge owner.

“That is normal,” Villas-Boas said of the players’ disinterest in his plans for the future. “They don’t have to back my project. It’s the owner who backs my project.”

When asked if his job was hanging by a thread, he replied: “I don’t think so, but it’s a question that you will have to ask the owner.”

He added: “I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have.

“In the end, that is the objective, of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies.”