Fabio Capello believes Jose Mourinho's time as Chelsea coach is coming to an end, saying that he has reached the point where his influence has a tendency to subside.
The former AC Milan and Real Madrid manager, who is currently out of work, told Fox Sports that Mourinho's magic lasts only 18 months on average before he "ruins" his players.
At that point, according to the 69-year-old, there is no way back.
"He's a strategist," Capello said, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "In this moment of difficulty, he has asked his club either to back him or sack him. The club have decided to defend him substantially with a statement.
"Mou is a great coach but, after a year and a half, he ruins his players. His lads are also psychologically unable to give him what he wants. His cycles tend to last around this period of time."
Capello also suggested that Chelsea would not be where they are now -- in 16th place, just four points ahead of the relegation zone -- if they had Thibaut Courtois in goal, although he said there were problems across the pitch.
"They don't have any rhythm, any aggression," Capello, who was sacked as Russia boss in July, said.
"[Branislav] Ivanovic is not his usual self and the loss of Courtois is a huge blow because lots of the goals Chelsea have conceded would not have gone in had they had their No. 1 goalkeeper."
Mourinho said last month that Courtois would be out for "quite a long time" after he suffered a knee injury.