Football
Miguel Delaney 9y

Chelsea's Jose Mourinho 'happy' Harry Redknapp is not under pressure at QPR

LONDON -- Jose Mourinho has given Harry Redknapp his backing ahead of QPR's trip to Chelsea on Saturday, saying he doesn't think the Loftus Road boss is "under pressure."

That view goes against much of the speculation at QPR, with sources telling ESPN FC that Redknapp's position is under threat as they sit 19th in the Premier League table with seven points from their opening nine games.

Although Monday's 2-0 win over Aston Villa alleviated some tension and saw owner Tony Fernandes offer Redknapp public backing, the coach's future looks far from secure -- but Mourinho does not feel that is the case.

"I don't think he's under pressure. I think, under pressure, are the managers with their place in danger," he told his pregame news conference on Friday. "I'm happy Harry is not one of them.

"I'm happy that his boss [Fernandes] came out, in difficult moments -- not in easy moments when it's easy to come out -- and told the country clearly that he trusts Harry, he's the man for now and the future. Harry is perfectly calm and steady and knows his place does not depend on results. He has everything to work in a stable way."

Saturday's match represents the first time that Mourinho has ever faced QPR, giving him his maiden West London derby.

"In my [previous] years here, they were always in the Championship," he added. "London is a special place with derbies. You play eight or 10 derbies: Fulham, Charlton, plus the traditionals... West Ham, Arsenal, Tottenham. That makes it unique. That makes the London teams have more difficult times than others, because a derby is always a derby."

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