Captain John Terry said he and his Chelsea team mates don't want Jose Mourinho to leave and are ready to plead the manager's case with the club hierarchy.

"We all agree we don't want Jose to go and if it takes five or six of the senior players to tell them so, then that's what we're prepared to do," Terry was quoted as saying in British newspapers on Sunday.

Mourinho's future has been the subject of intense speculation for several days, with media reports suggesting the Portuguese coach will quit the Premier League champions at the end of the season.

"Jose is the best in the business, there's no doubt about that, and I am sure he will be for the next 20 years," added central defender Terry. "That's what we want at Chelsea, the best and only the best."

Terry, who has been sidelined for several weeks with back and calf injuries, is certain Mourinho would not leave.

"I am convinced he will stay," said the England skipper. "I think he will be here next season, I really do.

"We are all loyal to Jose. We know what he has done for us as players and for this club as a whole. This situation is putting pressure on everyone at the club."

Mourinho has led Chelsea to two successive league titles since taking over from Italian Claudio Ranieri in 2004.

The Londoners beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 on Saturday to remain second in the league, six points behind Manchester United.