Lampard: Chelsea will find it hard to replace Mourinho

The club are thought to be looking for a new head coach despite the Portuguese guiding them into the Champions League semi-finals with an impressive 2-1 win at Valencia.

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Victory: Frank Lampard raises his arms in delight at the final whistle

He has admitted his wish to stay may not be granted and owner Roman Abramovich is expected to axe him in the summer after they fell out over transfer spending and interference.

The billionaire was in Russia on political business rather than here in Spain last night but will know the game was turned on its head by Mourinho's half-time team talk and tactical double substitution.

Lampard said: "He is one of the best in the world and I don't see many better than him out there. I am fortunate enough to work with him every day and have a very good relationship with him. I love working with the man.

"He is the focal point and leader of our group so the things he does make a big, big difference.

"Of course the players have to go out and perform but the manager is fantastic.

"Huge credit to him for what he did in Valencia. You can't talk highly enough about the moves he makes because many times they work for us."

Mourinho had largely stopped sniping about Abramovich and his treatment by the Chelsea board in recent weeks as it was unsettling the club.

However, the feat of the last-minute victory in Valencia, when Fernando Morientes's opening goal was cancelled out by Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Essien, meant he could not quite contain himself after the 3-2 aggregate win.

Mourinho is coming to the end of his third season at Stamford Bridge and has three years left on his contract.

When asked about his future from this summer, he said: "What I want is to remain in England with Chelsea.

"But sometimes in life you cannot get what you wish and what you want. If I can't coach there I would like to coach another team."

Touchline joy: Jose Mourinho pumps his fists in delight on the Mestalla sidelines

In a separate jibe at the expectations of Abramovich after delivering two Premierships and two Carling Cups, he said: "In three years this is the second time we have reached the Champions League semi-final.

"Chelsea did it with Claudio Ranieri before me, so in the last four years they have reached the semi-finals three times. I think it is a great performance. We need the next step but I think it is a great club performance."

Abramovich was conspicuous by his absence and his governorship of Chukotka was given as one of the reasons for his absence.

But the Russian has long since given up his post-match visits to the Chelsea dressing room, a fact Lampard insists the players cannot hold against him.

The midfielder said: "He has every right to do whatever he wants, whether he is here or not. If he is not around, his people are there and it is not an issue for us."

To maintain Chelsea's momentum they will have to overcome an exhausting schedule of games every weekend and midweek until the end of the season.

But John Terry said: "There is no danger of us running out of steam."