The Chelsea manager, André Villas-Boas, has said that he only needs the support of owner Roman Abramovich to carry out his duties and that he does not require the full backing of his squad.
Media reports have suggested there was a row between the coaching staff and players when they met up at the training ground the day after last Saturday's disappointing 2-0 defeat at Everton in the Premier League. After the game Villas-Boas described it as Chelsea's worst performance of the season.
When asked on Thursday whether he still had the support of his players, Villas-Boas told a news conference: "They don't have to back my project, only the owner needs to back my project."
The manager, speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Cup fifth-round match against Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge, denied there was a row during Sunday's get-together – "there was a meeting of technical staff and players, nothing dramatic," said Villas-Boas – but acknowledged he did not enjoy the backing of all his players: "That is normal," he said. "They don't have to back my project. It's the owner who backs my project."
Villas-Boas, who on Saturday took "full responsibility" said he was unaware of any of his squad questioning his tactics or team selection. But there have also been reports that senior players want Abramovich to replace him with Guus Hiddink to rescue Chelsea's season, just as the Dutchman did three years ago when Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked.
But despite the club being in a worse position now – fifth in the Premier League – than they were then, Villas-Boas was confident his own job was under no more threat this week than last.
"I don't think so, but it's a question that you will have to ask the owner. I think the owner has full trust in me and will continue to progress with the ideas that we have. In the end, that is the objective of getting us the best position possible in the league, plus these two trophies, which we are fighting for. It will be extremely good for us if we win against Birmingham to put ourselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
"But we need strong progression in the league and to show our strength."