Dubai: Paris Saint Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed his former Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho to turn things around at Chelsea.
The English Premier League defending champions are currently 16th in the table with nine defeats in 15 games, and the London club are said to be considering their managerial options.
But Ibrahimovic, who played under Mourinho at Italian giants Inter during the 2008/09 season — and is set to play for PSG against Chelsea in the last 16 of the Uefa Champions League in February — believes the Portuguese should be allowed to continue.
“I have to be honest, I haven’t seen Mourinho in this situation before, where he is struggling with his team,” said Ibrahimovic in a conference call with Gulf News ahead of PSG’s winter break in Qatar, where they will play Inter in a friendly on December 30.
“I think it’s not only me, but the whole world is used to seeing him battle for first or second place, so this is something new but with his experience and his qualities and with his vision of football, for sure he will bring them out of this situation.”
Asked if he thought Mourinho would still be at Chelsea by the time PSG are due to face them at home on February 17 in the first of two legs, the 34-year-old Swede, replied: “It depends on the big boss [Roman Abramovich] and what he wants. But I hope for Chelsea that he stays because we [PSG] want to play against the best.
“Chelsea is not an easy game even if they are struggling, we have respect for Chelsea and we don’t underestimate Chelsea because we know they have great players, experience in the Champions League from before, and a good coach.
“In this game there aren’t any favourites, we [PSG and Chelsea] have played twice before and one time Chelsea won and the other time PSG won, so I see both sides as equal. The team with the less mistakes will pass as that’s what it’s like in the Champions League.”
Ibrahimovic’s contract at PSG expires in June but the forward, who also used to play for Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona and AC Milan, said he was no closer to deciding on his future — despite reports linking him to Chelsea and a move to the EPL.
“I have another five or six months on my contract, so we’ll see how it goes,” he added. “Today it looks like nothing is happening and there’s nothing to go for, but I’m not focusing on that. I’m focusing on PSG, doing my best and delivering like before but in my thoughts now I have no destination.
“I’m not allowed to speak to any clubs until the January transfer window opens but my people are taking care of that and it’s nothing for me to focus on.”
However, one thing he is definitely focusing on is adding an elusive Champions League winner’s medal to his trophy cabinet.
“I still have a possibility to win it, we have a great team and it’s my dream to win the Champions League with this club [PSG]. If it doesn’t happen my career is packed anyway and the museum is huge. I’m happy to have played with great players and clubs. Let’s see what happens this year, but if not I’m happy with what I’ve achieved.”