Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro has fired back after Jose Mourinho’s blasted his medical staff on Saturday.
Mirror Sport understands first team physio Jon Fearn was also slammed by the Blues’ boss in extraordinary scenes at Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Swansea.
But it was Carneiro who took to Facebook to acknowledge the public backing she has received since Mourinho’s comments.
She posted: “I would like to thank the general public for their overwhelming support. Really very much appreciated.”
In pictures - Chelsea 2-2 Swansea City
Mourinho criticised Carneiro and Fearn for their reaction to Eden Hazard’s injury late in the game. Carneiro immediately dashed on to treat him but with keeper Thibaut Courtois already sent off, Chelsea were temporarily reduced to nine men.
Mourinho, desperately trying not to lose the game, felt his staff had made the wrong decision.
He vented his fury from his technical area then made his point in the post-match comments widely interpreted to have put Carneiro and Fearn in the firing line.
He said: “I was not happy with my medical staff. Even if you are a kit man, doctor or secretary on the bench you have to understand the game.
“You have to know you have one player less and when you go to the pitch to assist a player you have to make sure your player has a serious injury.
“I was sure he hadn’t a serious problem. He had a knock, he was very tired. But my medical department - on an impulse - was naive and left me with eight outfield players in a counter attack after a set piece.”
It is not the first time that Mourinho has turned his fire on members of his backroom staff.
Last month, during the club’s tour of the United States, the Blues boss hit out at goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon for giving an unauthorised interview, revealing Petr Cech wanted to join Arsenal.