Madrid, Nov 6 (IANS): Real Madrid star striker Cristiano Ronaldo backed Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to bounce back from his club's poor start to the season and turn the team's fortunes around.

Ronaldo played under Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium before the latter returned to Chelsea. The Portugal national team skipper hoped his famous compatriot returns to title contention.

"I'm not surprised because in football anything can happen. I'm not surprised," Ronaldo was quoted as saying by BBC on Thursday.

"Of course he is a manager that I was working with for two years and I know his potential. I know him and Chelsea are going to pass this tough situation,” he said.

The 30-year-old said he wants Mourinho to succeed at the top level and make his club's fans proud. Champions Chelsea have lost six of their 11 English Premier League matches to lie 15th in the 20-team standings.

"As a Portuguese man of course I want to see the Portuguese people at the top level all the time, so this is what I wish for him - that he can go through this bad situation and make Chelsea fans happy, because I think they deserve it,” Ronaldo said.