Defiant Villas-Boas Claims 'Philosophy' Will Rectify Slump

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has lashed out at reports his job at Stamford Bridge is under-threat and insists he has the full support of club owner Roman Abramovich.

Villas-Boas moved to dismiss the mounting pressure on him following Chelsea's worst start to a season since Abramovich took over in 2003.

Asked if he required assistance to rectify Chelsea's recent slump - three losses in their last five games - Villas-Boas remained defiant.

"I don't agree. I don't solve problems on my own, I solve problems with my group of people and my group of players," the Chelsea manager said.

"I just hold on to my self-belief and the belief of my players."

Chelsea's recent slump has left the Blues trailing league leaders Manchester City by 12 points and in danger of dropping out of the Champions League at the group stage.

Defeat against Bayer Leverkusen in Germany in midweek means Chelsea need a win against Valencia in their final group game next week to guarantee qualification.

"It's a situation of life and death in that group," Villas-Boas added.

"We expect Leverkusen to do their job against Genk and qualify first. Then it's either Chelsea or Valencia in the Champions League last 16."

Villas-Boas added that he had spoken to Abramovich after Wednesday's 2-1 defeat and had been reassured by the Russian that his job was not under threat.

Asked if the Chelsea owner would give him time to rectify the club's form, he said: "Yes. Everybody wants to get out of a situation like this."

The Portuguese revealed he held a meeting with players and coaching staff before the squad flew back from Germany on Wednesday night.

"There are a lot of meetings," he said. "Not critical meetings, no animosity, not insults here and there, no critique whatsoever regarding what we are doing, no doubts whatsoever regarding what we are doing.

"Self-confidence and self-belief is what we need now and everybody wants to get it. That thing only comes with wins.

"The philosophy will be the last thing to die at this club. It's a thing that makes technical staff and players very, very proud."