Mark Hughes backs Jose Mourinho to turn around Chelsea's slump

Stoke City boss Mark Hughes has suggested that Chelsea would be wrong to sack manager Jose Mourinho.

Reports have claimed that the Portuguese coach will be dismissed from his post if the team lose to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

The Blues, who comfortably won the Premier League title last season, have managed to claim just three victories in 10 top-flight games, five of which have ended in defeat.

"He says it himself that he's a top manager," Hughes told reporters. "He's the best manager Chelsea have ever had so why would they change him?

"I don't anticipate they'll be in the position they are for too much longer. They seem to be struggling to get points on the board when maybe in the past you'd expect them to.

"It's a period he's faced at other times in his career, but one he has the knowledge and understanding of how to address that and to turn that round. I don't think anyone thinks that he won't."

Hughes's side will take on Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.