Saturday
After a 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool – the champions’ sixth Premier League loss of the season – Mourinho gathers his coaching staff in the centre circle for a 15-minute debrief, in which they stand around in the middle of the pitch not doing very much. Rather like Cesc Fàbregas.
Monday
The Football Association fines Mourinho £40,000 after his half-time sending-off at West Ham last month. He is also banned from attending his side’s game at Stoke City, so it’s not all bad news.
Tuesday
On the eve of their Champions League tie against Dynamo Kyiv, John Terry backs Mourinho.: “The players are 100% behind the manager. We will turn things round. The most important thing [is] that we stay together in the dressing room.” Statistically, Chelsea’s results this season this season would have been only 31% worse had the team literally stayed together in the dressing room rather than actually trying to play.
Wednesday
Willian’s late free-kick secures a 2-1 win over Dynamo, while the Stamford Bridge crowd give the manager a standing ovation. “It is an unforgettable moment in my career,” says an emotional Mourinho.
Thursday
Mourinho’s weekly spend on FA fines rises to £90,000 after his appeal against a punishment for saying referees are “afraid to give decisions to Chelsea” fails – the FA also, apparently, being afraid to give decisions to Chelsea.
Friday
The FA publishes full reasons behind the stadium ban, including allegations that Mourinho was “agitated” and “aggressive” at Upton Park – which sounds plausible enough – and that he at one point shouted “Wenger is right!”, which seems unlikely.
Saturday
Chelsea lose 1-0 at Stoke and fall to 16th. Mourinho has never seen a side lose seven league games in a season before – and given his stadium ban in a way he still hasn’t.