Jose Mourinho says he feels "betrayed" by his Chelsea players following a 2-1 defeat Monday to Leicester City.
The Portuguese manager believes his team is not following his instructions to an acceptable level and suggests it overachieved in winning the Premier League title last season.
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"We conceded two goals that are unacceptable for me. I know one of my best qualities is to read the game for my players, to identify every detail about the opponent," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"I feel that my work was betrayed. It's difficult for us to score goals when you have players who are not in their best level. When you have some players, especially in crucial positions, it's difficult. It's hard. All last season I did phenomenal work and I brought them to a level that is more than they really are."
With the Blues sitting one point above the relegation zone, the coach is embarrassed but says they are not fighting for survival. The west London club is in 16th position and 14 points adrift of the top four.
Although Chelsea qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League last week, Mourinho has been embarrassed by his team's domestic displays.
"We can't finish top four, but we can still finish top six because so many teams are dropping points, but at the moment we're in a zone where I feel ashamed," Mourinho told BBC Sport.
The coach, however, is adamant his players do not need to concern themselves with a fight to retain their Premier League status.
"I accept we are in the relegation zone but I don't accept we are in a relegation battle," he added. "You look at the table and we are there, but you think you are in a relegation battle if you are there for three or four months. I don't think that."
The longtime manager signed a contract extension though 2019 earlier this year, but the club's record certainly raises questions about his job security. Asked if he was convinced he would be in charge when his side hosts Sunderland on Saturday, he said: "The only thing I can say is that I want to be. I want to be. Clearly. Point. I have no doubts and . . . I think you know me well enough that I'm not afraid of a big challenge and at this moment this is a real big challenge.
"I want to stay. I want to stay. I hope Mr. (Roman) Abramovich (Chelsea owner) and the board want me to stay because I want to stay."
Omnisport's Dejan Kalinic contributed to this report.