Chelsea have planned to review Jose Mourinho's position during the international break in two weeks' time as the Portuguese fights to keep his job.
Mourinho is under increasing pressure after Saturday's 2-1 defeat to West Ham left the Premier League champions 15th in the table having lost five of their 10 league fixtures this season.
The former Real Madrid boss received a public vote of confidence last month, when Blues owner Roman Abramovich decided to give his manager until the two-week break in November to turn around the team's fortunes.
Some reports have suggested that Mourinho could be sacked if Chelsea lose to Liverpool on Saturday but while patience is wearing thin at Stamford Bridge, the 52-year-old is unlikely to leave the club before the Premier League fixture away at Stoke on November 7.
After that game, Abramovich and the board are expected to reassess their options with the club's chances of reaching the top four a prominent factor in their decision. The Blues are already nine
points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
Preferred replacements such as Pep Guardiola and Diego Simeone will not be available until next summer so Chelsea would have to appoint an interim manager until the end of the season.
The Blues have four matches in the next two weeks in three different competitions and Mourinho is under intense pressure despite only signing a new four-year contract in August as a reward for last season's title triumph.
Mourinho was sent to the stands during the defeat to West Ham and Chelsea chiefs have been stunned by the way the 52-year-old has appeared to unravel on and off the pitch.
He controversially axed club doctor Eva Carneiro and has further damaged the club's image with constant rants against the referees, which have been received badly in the boardroom at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho was given his public vote of confidence after the home defeat to Southampton on October 3 but has only guided the team to one win in the three subsequent games - and that was against relegation battlers Aston Villa.
The Blues face Stoke in the League Cup on Tuesday before a crucial home league fixture against Liverpool on Saturday. They take on Dynamo Kyiv in the Champions League next week before the weekend trip to Stoke, which could be Mourinho's final game in charge.
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