Jose Mourinho says he will only quit Chelsea if he loses the backing of the players.

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Mourinho is in the midst of the worst run of results of his trophy-laden career, but he remains happy with his handling of Chelsea’s miserable season, saying: “I am not afraid, I’m not crying, I’m not desperate”.

Southampton’s 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge on Saturday left the Premier League champions 16th and led to inevitable talk that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would be firing another manager.

Mourinho, who insisted he would not resign, suggested the media should speak directly to the players who do not go on international duty, captain John Terry among them, to ask whether they are supporting the Portuguese, rather than report speculation.

“People can say what they want. I think you should go straight to the players,” Mourinho said. “Get a table at Cobham next week – John Terry doesn’t go to the national team, Diego Costa doesn’t go, Ramires doesn’t go. Ask them.

“If they tell you they don’t trust me, (that) is the only thing that can make me resign. The only thing. But not fake sources. The players at the table.”

Mourinho insisted he was handling the spell well, after a fourth loss in eight Premier League games.

“It makes me understand how big a guy I am,” the Portuguese said. “I am not afraid. I’m not crying, I’m not desperate. It makes me realise how big I was, how big I am.

“When you win and you win titles and you are champion, life is easy. It’s easy to be proud. It’s easy to be what you are.

“In this moment it’s not so easy and my feelings – I’m so unhappy with the sport feeling of defeat but I am so happy with myself with the way I am facing this.”

Mourinho does not doubt the quality of his squad and believes an about-turn in confidence or good fortunate will help his players sooner or later.

“Only Mother Nature can do it,” he said.