Who will be Chelsea's next manager?

David Luiz laid his hands on Fernando Torres’ head and prayed before Chelsea’s FA Cup game against Birmingham.

Perhaps, he should be doing the same for his coach Andre Villas-Boas before tomorrow’s Champions League game against Napoli.

Depending on which expert or British tabloid you read this morning – one common thread runs through all the speculation. Anything less than a win and AVB’s Chelsea career is over.

Most gave AVB a slim chance of surviving, despite an amazing show of confidence by the Portuguese.

A defiant AVB said: "First Napoli, then we will see. But if we go past Napoli then we can have a really good chance, depending on who we get in the draw.

"It will be a massive challenge. Everyone saw what Napoli did in a group which put Manchester City out. But I think we have a chance."

He admits it will not be easy against a swash-buckling Napoli side headed by brilliant striker Edinson Cavani.

AVB said: "He is an amazing player and is their main man. But they have a strong front three with Hamsik, Cavani and Lavezzi. They are all a danger.

"But, to be fair, their strength is in the collective spirit. They have an inner belief in each other."

After Chelsea’s embarrassing draw with Birmingham on Saturday, the press were rife that senior players were done with the manager – not least for his comments earlier that as long as he had the backing of the owner, his players will have to follow suit.

A leaked video of Didier Drogba giving the half-time team talk suggested the Chelsea dressing room was a mess.

However, AVB may well turn to the same seniors to get him a win at Napoli.

Flop Fernando Torres, just four goals this season, looks like being dropped in favour of Didier Drogba.

Frank Lampard should start in midfield.

Most important will be the return of John Terry.

And AVB hinted that he may have no choice but to push the inspirational skipper to return.

"JT is a great leader. He gives you an extra emotional push but, at the moment, we've had to do without him.  If he misses out on Tuesday, then we will miss a top, top player and a player who gives us great defensive stability. It would be a massive loss for us.

"So I will leave it as late as possible and make a decision on him after the training in Naples," he said.

All bets off on the next manager then - till tomorrow, that is.

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