The fate of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hangs in the balance after a torrid start to his team's Premier League campaign this season, and according to reports, the mega clash between Liverpool and Chelsea in the weekend can be the be-all and end-all for the Portuguese manager.
According to Mirror, the club insiders have started worrying about the behaviour of Mourinho, and this probably could be one of the reasons that Carlo Ancelotti and Guus Hiddink are zeroed in on as immediate replacements, in case they decide on the big announcement of parting ways with the manager.
Mourinho was sent off to the stands during his team's 2-1 loss against West Ham at the Upton Park on Saturday for an alleged verbal barb at the referee Jonathan Moss during half-time. This incident is believed to have not gone down well with the Chelsea hierarchy.
And the ex-Real Madrid's manager future as the Chelsea coach will be discussed and dissected if the Blues fail to record a favourable result against Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool at the Stamford Bridge this Saturday.
Meanwhile, according to the Telegraph, Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola has been identified as a replacement for Mourinho, to take over as the Chelsea manager at the end of the season. Guardiola, whose contract at the Allianz Arena runs until the end of next season, has led Barcelona to three La Liga titles on the trot in the past.
The pressure is rising on Mourinho, after Chelsea suffered their fifth Premier League defeat of the season against West Ham. The Blues currently remain on the 15th spot in the league table after ten games.
It was only earlier this month that Chelsea released a statement showing their "full support" to Mourinho, despite the poor results.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese manager will be on the bench for Chelsea's game on Tuesday against Stoke City in the League Cup.
