Kenyon believes Mourinho will stay at Chelsea

LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said today he believed manager Jose Mourinho fully intended staying with the English champions after receiving assurances that he had the club's full backing.

''He and I sat down this week and he left my office and I left him knowing that he's committed to Chelsea and we are committed to him,'' Kenyon told BBC radio.

Asked if he was 100 percent sure that Mourinho would still be with the club at the start of next season, Kenyon replied: ''Why not? There's nothing happening that would suggest that he isn't.'' After British media reports of growing tension between Mourinho and the club's billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich, Mourinho said last Thursday he would stay at Chelsea if he felt he had sufficient support.

But on Saturday after a 2-0 loss to Liverpool he again voiced frustration with his role at the injury-struck 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 chief executive, I'm not the chairman. I'm just a manager.'' Kenyon said the board fully supported Morinho and he in turn said he loved living in England and had a contract until 2010.

''I think there's healthy tension in the club and that is focused on making Chelsea move forward,'' he said.

Kenyon also indicated Chelsea could sign new players before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

''We had three centre backs out yesterday but the January market is notoriously difficult in terms of quality players available,'' he said. ''We are continuing to see if there is anyone we can bring in and the window is still open.'' REUTERS SAM BS1905