Ghana coach Avram Grant has backed under-fire Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to turn around their dwindling fortunes in the English Premier League.
The Portuguese manager is under mounting pressure following the side’s 3-1 defeat against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
There have been suggestions that his relationship with some key players is approaching breaking point.
But Black Stars coach Avram Grant, who replaced Mourinho in 2007, has backed the tough-talking coach to turn the table around.
“It's one man's decision but if you ask me, I think Jose needs to continue with the job and solve the problem by himself,†Grant told the BBC Radio 5 Live's‘Sportsweek’.
“Sometimes when you are inside, you know the problem better than anybody.
“We know the past of Jose that he did so well for Chelsea, so he deserves more time.â€
Chelsea, in 15th place in the Barclays Premier League, are in a spot of bother.
Mourinho is searching for the solution, heading out into the centre circle with his coaching staff for a 15-minute debrief while some of Chelsea's players were put through a warm-down.
His future has been discussed at the highest level, leading to the statement backing Mourinho following the defeat against Southampton in early October. It is back on the agenda now.
He has already been sacked once, following the 1-1 draw with Rosenberg in the Champions League in 2007, but the feeling is that a second dismissal would be a clean and final break from the club.