Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has thanked Sir Alex Ferguson for being a 'real' friend after the ex-Manchester United boss backed his former rival to get through his bad spell at Stamford Bridge.

Ferguson recently urged Chelsea not to sack Mourinho, despite the team being just two points above relegation after 15 games.

"Some people told me [what Ferguson had said]," Mourinho told reporters. "There is a difference between friends, the fake friends and the ones that are honest and show immediately their feelings towards you.

"Sir Alex is my friend and obviously the words are very nice. I believe he is not the kind of person who says it because he likes somebody. It is because he is honest and I thank him."

Meanwhile, Chelsea need to earn a point against Porto on Wednesday night in order to progress into the last 16 of the Champions League.