Jose Mourinho is an enigma - you either love him or loathe him.

His character is somewhat eccentric at times. Mourinho often draws envious glances from rival managers and critics because, in billionaire Roman Abramovich, he has found a man who can make his life easier in the transfer market, wages and other club matters.

It's what the English media often refers to as 'the embarrassment of riches' that the Portuguese coach has thanks to his Russian boss.

However, over the past few weeks, consistent reports in England have claimed that there are divisions at Chelsea because of a rift between Mourinho and Abramovich.

Critics have blamed the transfer of striker Andriy Shevchenko from Milan to Chelsea for the tension in the dressing room. According to reports, the Ukrainian was not in Mourinho's plans.

It could be that he regarded Shevchenko as a player in the twilight of his career besides the question marks over his ability to adapt to the physical nature of English football.

After Chelsea's 4-0 thumping of Wycombe Wanderers in the League Cup semi-final, Mourinho remarked that he saw a very different Shev-chenko as his striker scored two goals to help the team book their place in the final.

Mourinho added that Shev-chenko did even more than he had expected from him and that he had earned his chance to reclaim a first-team place.

For his part, Abramovich spoke about the Chelsea fans, saying that they do not appreciate what he has done for the club. The Russian reminded them that it was his investment that helped put Chelsea on the soccer map.

Mourinho steered them to back-to-back championships after the Londoners had won the title only once before in their history.

Some suggested that Abramovich viewed the Champions League as his priority prize.

Mourinho had already shown at Porto that he knows the way to the top of European football. The Blues can still deliver the goods this season.

But, when the club badly needed to sign a central defender, following the back injury suffered by captain John Terry, Mourinho's request to bolster his rearguard was not upheld.

After a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield, Mourinho again voiced his frustration about his role at the injury-stricken club.

"I'm never allowed to do what I want because I'm the manager," he told reporters.

"I'm not the owner, I'm not the chief executive, I'm not the chairman. I'm just a manager."

Chief executive Peter Kenyon uttered that Mourinho intended to honour his contract if he had the assurances of the club's full backing.

Mourinho told Kenyon that he would still be at Stamford Bridge at the start of the next campaign if he felt he had sufficient support.

Kenyon added that the board fully supported Mourinho who in turn said he loved living in England and had a contract until 2010.

The Portuguese also has the backing of the players, led by captain Terry.

There have been rumours that key Chelsea players had indicated that they would not sign a new contract with the club unless they knew Mourinho would still be at the club in 2007-08.

Cynics believe that Mourinho's troubles at Chelsea should serve him well for the future. If anything, Mourinho will understand the difficulties other clubs face in the transfer market.

First in 50 years

Chelsea have advanced to the League Cup final. The competition was the first piece of silverware won by Mourinho in England when beating Liverpool 3-2 (aet) in Cardiff two years ago.

Then, they went on to claim the Premiership title for the first time in 50 years.

With 13 matches to go, Mourinho still believes that his side can overcome Manchester United's six-point lead to clinch a third successive championship crown in May.

If Chelsea reach their target, they would equal United's feat of three consecutive titles between 1999-2001.

Mourinho has given English football a boost since his arrival although he has yet to reach the heights for Chelsea in the continent.

On the other hand, Alex Ferguson, who has remarked that the rest of the Premiership would love Man. United to end the Blues' monopoly, saw his team suffering a domestic setback at Arsenal who beat the Reds 2-1 in their last league match.

Fact file...

1963 - Jose Mario Santos Mourinho was born on January 26. His father, Felix, was a former Portugal goalkeeper.

1992 - His first high-profile role in the game came with his appointment to work under former England manager Bobby Robson at Sporting Lisbon. Mourinho never made it as a player but was always keen to take up coaching.

In his home country, he held low-profile positions at Estrela Amadora and Vitoria Setubal before earning his first major job as coach of Sporting Lisbon. Yet, his first real link with Sporting was as a translator to Robson. Mourinho's understanding of the game and enthusiasm inspired Robson to increasingly involve him in training.

1993 - Mourinho stayed close to Robson and the duo moved to FC Porto. In the three seasons that followed, Robson and Mourinho (not yet promoted to number two) led the club to two championship titles.

1996 - Mourinho joined Barcelona in the summer of 1996 as assistant to Robson.

1997 - Robson felt that it was time to return home but Mourinho kept his role under new coach Louis van Gaal.

2000 - His first full coaching job came at Benfica. At the Stadium of Light, Mourinho lasted only nine matches. He resigned from his post due to problems at boardroom level.

2001 - Mourinho remained in the Portuguese League, taking over as coach of Uniao de Leiria. He guided them to a top-five placing.

2002 - In January, Porto were struggling against relegation and called upon Mourinho who accepted the job with enthusiasm. He showed his real influence when leading Porto to third place at the end of the season.

2003 - In his first full season at Porto, the fans made Mourinho a folk hero as the team won the treble - league, cup and UEFA Cup.

2004 - He followed up this success when Porto lifted the Champions League against all expectations. Chelsea immediately declared their interest in taking Mourinho on board and after the final against Monaco, he left Porto.

Claudio Ranieri had to leave Chelsea after so many speculation about Mourinho. The Portuguese signed for Chelsea on June 2.

2005 - In his first season, Mourinho became the first manager to win the Premiership in his debut campaign, having already led the Londoners to League Cup triumph.

In the Champions League, Chelsea bowed out to Liverpool in the semi-finals.

2006 - Chelsea, again led by Mourinho, retained the Premiership crown but came a cropper in the continent as Barcelona oust them in the first knock-out stage of the Champions League.

2007 - Chelsea have reached the League Cup final and the first knock-out round of the Champions League where they will meet FC Porto, Mourinho's former club.