Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois says he was disappointed that Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club -- but he is still hopeful of success this season.
Courtois joined Chelsea in the summer of 2011 but spent three years out on loan at Atletico Madrid before being recalled by Mourinho and being made No. 1 in last season's title-winning team.
But Mourinho was robbed of the Belgium international through injury for much of the season as the champions struggled in the wrong half of the table, and the coach was eventually sacked in December.
"It was strange for me," Courtois told the Independent. "When you get injured for a long time it's not nice because you are out of the team and not involved anymore.
"Sometimes you just go to watch training to be with the players a bit and have the feeling of being part of the group. When it's not going well, you want to help.
"We had a wonderful season being champions, but this season has been different. I was sad when a top manager like Mourinho got sacked, but you have to move forwards.
"You cannot look to the past, you have to look forwards and we were in a bad situation so the club took a decision and, as players, we knew we had to improve.
"We are doing well and we can maybe move up the table, but top four is out of the question. I think the most important is the FA Cup and the Champions League. That's our main aim.
"It's nice to win a trophy every season and say every year: 'OK I won something.' Winning a trophy would be a good way to finish a bad season in a positive way.
"But I'm not obsessed by the fact I have to win a trophy every year -- it's a nice thing, but I know it's sometimes impossible."