England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson today congratulated Chelsea's beleaguered manager Jose Mourinho on a remarkable start to his first season in the Premiership.
Eriksson's words will be welcomed by Mourinho, who is bidding to lift the Carling Cup against Liverpool on Sunday amid criticism of the club's behaviour inside the Nou Camp tunnel during Wednesday's Champions League defeat by Barcelona.
Eriksson said: "Mourinho has done a great job for Chelsea and you have to say congratulations. They are top of the Premiership, in the Carling Cup final and, so far, have had a strong season in Europe."
The Swede added: "I've met Jose but I don't know him well. I don't know how he works on the training pitch but I understand his players love him. That's great for him and, of course, you see the results of that on the pitch.
"Three things are important for a club manager - the relationship with his players, his chairman and with the club's fans. Without those things life can be very difficult."
