Zlatan Ibrahimovic hopes Jose Mourinho is still in charge of Chelsea when they meet Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League in February, saying: "We want to play against the best."
Mourinho is under heavy pressure at Chelsea as the Premier League champions are just one point clear of the relegation zone, and sources told ESPN FC that intense discussions over his future have taken place this week.
Ibrahimovic, who won the Serie A title under Mourinho at Inter Milan in 2008-09, said the Blues should keep faith with their manager.
"I have to be honest, I haven't seen Mourinho in this situation where he's struggling," he told reporters. "Normally, I am used to see him battling for the first and second place, so this is something new."
Asked if he expected Mourinho to be in charge for Chelsea's trip to PSG in the Champions League round of 16 on Feb. 16, he said: "I don't really know how the situation is.
"I think it depends on the big boss, [Roman] Abramovich, what he wants, but I hope for Chelsea that he stays because we want to play against the best."
While Chelsea are struggling near the foot of the Premier League, PSG are 17 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, but Ibrahimovic dismissed the idea the game would be straightforward for his side.
"To play against Chelsea is not an easy game, even if they are struggling a little bit in their own competition," he said.
"We have respect for Chelsea and we do not underestimate Chelsea. They have great players and that experience from the Champions League from before and they have a good coach."
Chelsea beat PSG on away goals in the quarterfinals in 2013-14 before the French side won out on away goals in the round of 16 the following season.
Ibrahimovic added: "The game doesn't have any favourite because we played two times before. I see both teams as equal."
The Swede has never won the Champions League despite a hugely successful club career that has seen him win league titles with Ajax, Juventus, Inter, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG.
This season may be his last real opportunity to win European club football's biggest prize given that the 34-year-old is out of contract in the summer and has been linked with a move to Major League Soccer or former club Malmo.
However, he said is keeping a completely open mind as to where he will play next season.
"In my thoughts now I don't have any destination," he said. "This is a new situation for me.
"Normally, I have a contract for years and then change club but this is something different. My contract ends and then you are free to do whatever you want, so something totally new for me."