Jose Mourinho insisted he is under no pressure as Chelsea manager although he admitted it was a "strange feeling" losing after his side's less than convincing start to the Premier League season.
The Portuguese was in relaxed mood on the eve of Wednesday's first Uefa Champions League Group G match at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel despite Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Everton seeing his team drop to 17th in the league, their worst top-flight start in 29 years.
He said: “I am the current champion of England: why should I be in trouble? Why? I think that’s a good question you don’t know how to answer.
“Three months ago we were the best team in the country, the best manager, the players.
“We know what we are, champions of England. It’s not because we started so bad – and it really is so bad – that somebody can steal what we are.
“Nobody can steal our trophies, our history. Nobody can do that. You can try, but you can’t do that. We know what we are. Champions of England.”
Mourinho oozed confidence despite his side’s poor form and insisted his own mood was good.
“I’m still special and happy,” he joked. “I promise you I am fine. I am not used to losing so many times but I am adapting to the situation.
“We are not all smiles, laughing and joking. When people are not getting their success that you work for, and I promise you we work a lot for that, people are frustrated and not happy. That’s basic.
“I’m not here after a defeat waiting for the next match to come. I’m here working every day, working on many different items. Speaking to players? Of course. Analysing matches? Of course.
“I promise you we are working. When we say business as usual, it’s true. Business as usual, with one difference. We are not happy.
“There is one point that is fundamental in football for sure, and that is the confidence levels. Especially with people who are used to winning all the time. When you don’t it’s a strange feeling.”
Mourinho did snap at one question asking about his impact on his third season at previous clubs.
“My third season in Porto, I didn’t have a third season,” he said. “In Inter, I didn’t have a third season. My third season at Chelsea the first time, I won the FA Cup and the Carling (League) Cup, and I played the Champions League semi-finals.
“The third season in Real Madrid I won the Super Cup, lost the cup final, and I went to the Champions League semi-finals. These are my third seasons. So click Google instead of asking stupid questions. You spoke about the third season, and I’m telling you the question is stupid. I know the point is that the question is stupid.
“How important is building a dynasty? I think that’s another question. I haven’t done that. This is the first time I’m going for that, and I don’t have experience of it in the past. I have nothing to show to anyone. Nothing.”
Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who is set to make his Champions League bow in the continued absence of Thibaut Courtois, backed his manager.
“You just need to look at the way he goes about his business, his coaching, his managerial techniques,” he said.
“You can see what makes him the best manager in the world, watching how he works. We’re behind him. We can remember what this team is and what this team is capable of.
“We have some of the best players in the world, and we know how to get results.”
Chelsea will be without Radamel Falcao with a tendon injury but Mourinho believes it will be only a one-game absence.
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