Roman Abramovich will not sack Andre Villas-Boas if Chelsea are knocked out of the Champions League by Napoli, according to the Portuguese boss.
Abramovich not ready to wield axe, believes Portuguese boss
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will not sack Andre Villas-Boas if they are knocked out of the UEFA Champions League by Napoli, according to the Portuguese boss.
Villas-Boas has been feeling the heat with the inconsistent Blues slipping out of Premier League title contention during his first season at the Stamford Bridge helm.
Abramovich has visited the Blues' training ground on a number of occasions in recent weeks, while home fans were chanting for former boss Jose Mourinho during Saturday's 1-1 FA Cup draw against Birmingham City.
But Villas-Boas claims the Russian billionaire has made assurances that his job is not under threat - even if they crash out of the last 16 in Europe's biggest prize.
Chelsea have travelled to Naples ahead of Tuesday's first-leg clash between the sides.
Belief
The 34-year-old said: "There is full belief from the owner in what we're doing."
Villas-Boas also insists the Blues board are prepared to give him time to build a new Chelsea squad capable of winning trophies.
He added: "From the message received from the club recently there is a clear indication that there's a change in the way we approach the projects of the future.
"There is a belief in what we are going to do next year, setting out a team to win the biggest amount of trophies we can.
"That doesn't undermine the responsibilities that we have this year. So bearing in mind those responsibilities this year, and the results we've been having, speculation is normal based on the cultural past of this football club.
"But we've got to understand sometimes there is a different perspective and I think that time is now.
"With full confidence from the owner I will continue to do my job and my job is this year and next year."
