Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has urged Chelsea's hierarchy to stick with under fire boss Jose Mourinho.

The pressure is increasing on the Portuguese coach following the Premier League Champions' dismal start to the season, which has left them in 16th position in the league.

However Di Matteo, who won the Champions League with the Blues in 2012, said he hopes that the Chelsea board stick with Mourinho and back him to turn things around at Stamford Bridge.

Di Matteo told the Evening Standard: "I really hope Mourinho is going to stay long term, stability is so important for the club."

"Chelsea have been so successful for the last 15 years and it can happen that you have a bad year but there is so much quality in the team and the club has one of the best managers in the world."