Under-pressure AVB remains defiant

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Under-pressure Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has dismissed suggestions he could work alongside a more experienced coach.

Guus Hiddink, a friend of Blues owner Roman Abramovich and a popular figure at Stamford Bridge from his brief spell as manager, is available after leaving his job with the Turkish national team.

That has led to speculation the Dutchman could return to the club, if not to replace Villas-Boas then even to work with him.

But Villas-Boas, 34, insists his relative lack of experience is not a factor in Chelsea’s recent poor run.

He said: “I don’t agree with that. I solve problems with my group of people and my players.”

Chelsea’s defeat against Bayer Levekusen on Wednesday was their fourth loss in seven matches and left them in serious danger of missing out on a place in the knockout stage of the Champions League.

But Villas-Boas is adamant he retains the support of his players – and Abramovich – and can turn things around.

“The spotlight is something that doesn’t disturb me whatsoever,” he declared.

“We need to find the right emotional stimulus and the right balance in terms of what we do to get results we want. We have no doubts whatsoever regarding what we are doing.”

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