If Chelsea sack Jose Mourinho they will have to pay around £30m compensation

Mourinho signed a new contract in the summer until 2019

Jose Mourinho watches Chelsea's 2-1 defeat by West Ham from the stands after being sent-off (Reuters)

Chelsea will have to pay Jose Mourinho a whopping compensation package should they sack him this season.

The Portuguese manager is under immense pressure after the worst run of form of his managerial career and the worst spell since owner Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003.

Some reports suggest that Mourinho must beat rivals Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday or face the axe.

Mourinho, who has sounded out potential moves with Paris Saint-Germain and former club Internazionale, signed a new extension over the summer that keeps him under contract with the Blues until 2019.

The 52-year-old is the highest paid manager in the Premier League, if not the world game, with his annual salary reported to be anywhere between £8.5m and £13.2m, depending on the source.

If Mourinho were to be sacked then he may insist on his compensation being paid in full, a package that could cost Abramovich above £30m, a fee that could give the billionaire second thoughts.

The Chelsea owner has already publicly backed his manager this season after the poor defeat to Southampton on 3 October, although the statement insisted that results and performances must improve.

The Blues were then better in a victory against Aston Villa and were unlucky to draw against Dynamo Kiev but crisis struck again at rivals West Ham, where the 10 men of Chelsea lost 2-1 with Mourinho sent to the stands at half-time and refusing to speak to the media after the match.

"If the club is happy, I am happy," Mourinho said at the time his new contract was signed.

"I think this is a normal thing for me to sign a new contract. It is important we have this continuity and I hope we can enjoy more success in the future - for the fans, the players and the club.

"I said when I returned here two years ago that I have a special feeling for this club and nothing changed.

"It is the club closest to my heart and I am very happy to know I will be staying here for a long time."