Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has backed under-fire Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas ahead of the match between the two sides next weekend.

Villas-Boas's future at Stamford Bridge has come under intense speculation after an indifferent first season in England.

"I know that's the nature of the job and given we're in the best league in the world, it's always somebody's turn one week or another but the bottom line is Andre Villas-Boas is a top class manager, and he's shown that," said Coyle. "He's shown it from his grounding when he worked with Jose Mourinho.

"The bottom line is he's putting in place a plan that will serve Chelsea well for ages to come.

"We understand that the size of that club and the demands of it - they'll look for trophies each year - but there's no doubt that will all come to fruition because he knows what he's doing and he's terrific at what he does."

Chelsea host Bolton in the Premier League next Saturday.