Chelsea are reportedly preparing to sack manager Jose Mourinho following Saturday's 3-1 defeat at home to Liverpool.
The Premier League champions, who had lost five of their first 10 games before kickoff, went into the clash knowing that another poor result could cost the Portuguese his job.
Mourinho, 52, told reporters at full time that he was confident over being given time to turn things around but, according to The Mirror, the Blues' hierarchy have set the wheels in motion for his dismissal.
The decision is expected to be finalised before Chelsea's Champions League clash at home to Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday.
Should the sacking materialise, Mourinho, who only signed a contract extension in August, would reportedly pick up a £9.5m sum in compensation.
They sit 15th in the table, 14 points behind co-leaders Manchester City and Arsenal.
