Roberto Di Matteo has claimed that Chelsea should keep Jose Mourinho as manager because "stability is so important" for the Premier League champions.
The Portuguese coach has been under scrutiny due to the club's poor start to the season, which has left them 16th in the table following seven defeats, two draws and just three victories.
Di Matteo guided Chelsea to Champions League glory during his spell as manager, which lasted one year and five months.
"I really hope Mourinho is going to stay long term, stability is so important for the club," The Independent quotes Di Matteo as saying.
"We have short memories but only four months ago we won the double. 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."
Mourinho signed a new four-year deal in August.