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Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the rest of the club's board were continuing to hold intense discussions about Jose Mourinho's future on Wednesday with the manager's future in serious doubt, sources have told ESPN FC. Sources say Chelsea's top officials met for nine hours on Tuesday following the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City on Monday night and that talks were continuing on Wednesday. ESPN FC has been told that a vote will be taken on Mourinho's future, although that will be used merely to guide the final decision, which will rest with Abramovich. The Chelsea owner has been keen to retain the former Porto, Inter Milan and Real Madrid coach, but the Premier League champions' continued poor form may lead him to reassess. One source said there was a significant concern that "the squad have seemed to stop listening," although there are some players who agree with Mourinho's criticisms on Monday night, when he said he felt his "work was betrayed." Sources said the talks have been wide-ranging, covering everything from the state of the squad and January purchases to potential managerial replacements and the pay-off Mourinho will require in the event of a sacking. Mourinho has acknowledged that there are no guarantees he will be in charge for Saturday's game at home to Sunderland. Asked if he was 100 percent convinced he would still be in charge, Mourinho replied: "The only thing I can say is that I want to be. "I have no doubts and I think you know me well enough, three years this time, plus three years another time, that I am not afraid of a big challenge, and in this moment this is a real big challenge. I want to stay, I hope Mr Abramovich and the board want me to stay." The Times has reported that Chelsea are considering appointing former Sevilla and Tottenham boss Juande Ramos as an interim replacement for Mourinho should they decide to sack the Portuguese. Ramos filled a similar role at Real Madrid for the second half of the 2008-09 season following the sacking of Bernd Schuster at the Bernabeu.
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