Jose Mourinho has survived a meeting of Chelsea's board following Saturday's disastrous 3-1 defeat against Southampton

Mourinho feared he would be sacked after Chelsea slipped to their sixth defeat of the season and even appeared to challenge Roman Abramovich to sack him after the game.

Instead he has been given a stay of execution and has been given the support of the board as they attempt to turn their season around.

Jose Mourinho will not be sacked as Chelsea manager despite a disappointing start to the season

Mourinho was defiant following Chelsea's 3-1 home loss to Southampton, saying he would not walk away

Mourinho watches his side lose 3-1 at home to Ronald Koeman's Southampton on Saturday evening

The defeat leaves Chelsea fifth from bottom in the Barclays Premier League with just eight points

CHELSEA'S FIXTURES October 17 Aston Villa (H) October 20 Dynamo Kiev (A) October 24 West Ham (A) October 27 Stoke City (A) Capital One Cup Fourth Round October 31 Liverpool (H) November 4 Dynamo Kiev (H) Advertisement

It hit a new low following the defeat, leading Mourinho to launch into a seven-and-a-half minute monologue live on Sky TV.

He said: 'I don't run away. If the club wants to sack me they have to sack me because I'm not running away from my responsibilities or my team.'

Despite Abramovich being furious at Chelsea's current form, there is no immediate danger of Mourinho losing his job.

The Russian knows that Mourinho would never return to the club for a third time and doesn't want to make a snap decision he will later regret.

Despite being upset by recent form, owner Roman Abramovich has no intention of sacking Mourinho

Mourinho reacts angrily as Chelsea slumped to their fourth defeat of the season against Southampton

Mourinho won his third Premier League title as Chelsea manager back in May

Abramovich had to pay £18m to Mourinho when he ended his first spell back in September 2007 following a series of disagreements.

The owner also realises that this current run of results is the worst period of Mourinho's illustrious career, something the Portuguese acknowledged himself in a press conference on Friday.

Mourinho has won three Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge as well as the FA Cup and three League Cups.