Roman Abramovich continues to flaunt his over-possessive vice-like grip over his favourite past time a.k.a Chelsea Football Club, as another manager was bid adieu this week. Some people believe that the Russian considers Chelsea as his very own child, and hence, that might explain his dissatisfaction with all the baby-sitters that come and go leaving the kid occasionally stronger, but more often than not nutritionally deficient. Considering the timing and the backdrop of the axe being bestowed upon his multitude of predecessors, Andre Villas-Boas’ guillotine has fallen after substantial procrastination. For a man whose primary target is Champions League glory, finding Chelsea outside the top four with a serious prospect of failing to qualify for the premium club competition in the world would be resulting in the Russian being the most fretful that he’s ever been about his ‘project’ since his takeover in 2003.
The unprecedented success that one Jose Mourinho brought to the club after replacing Claudio Ranieri, meant that the Special One’s shadow has always prowled in and around Stamford Bridge; and every single manager has had the inevitable sword of comparisons hanging over his rather insecure job. However, while Mourinho brought the club almost everything that they had not had for ages, the topmost product in Abramovich’s list was criminally missing, despite a few near misses in the semi-finals. Jose’s departure had a a lot more to do with a clash of egos than the lack of a UCL triumph; but parting ways with someone who was as popular with the Chelsea faithful as one could be and had enjoyed three immensely lucrative seasons by anyone standards, meant that the men that followed the Portuguese at the helm – and some of them among the Who’s Who of football management – had gigantic boots to fill and irrationally flying axes to be wary off.
Of the men that were assigned the unenviable task of following Jose’s cult act, it was only Carlo Ancelloti that managed to vanquish the league title in a memorable League-Cup double in 2010. Even so, the Italian was sacked after the club finished empty handed in 2011 – showcasing the fact that Abramovich has the patience level of an eight year old who has just seen her favourite Barbie in a toy store. While, Mourinho’s departure left a considerably bigger hole, Ancelloti’s sacking was arguably the worse decision. The man had a proven record in the Champions League, had won the league and cup double for the first time in the club’s history and in doing so ended United’s stranglehold over the league since 2007.
Another thing the Russian magnate wanted his chosen one to incorporate into the side – among his infinite list of demands – was attacking, free-flowing football; and hence, AVB was the one earmarked to flair up Stamford Bridge. Not only did that end acrimoniously, it has threatened to leave long-term repercussions – especially if Chelsea fail to qualify for the Champions League next year.
It is normal to see an inflated gamut of managerial names being linked to Chelsea, but considering the ‘throwing toys out of the pram’ tendency of Abramovich, and that he would give you next to no time for changing the fortunes of his club, who’d want to take this plunge? Another façade that shrouds Chelsea is the over-the-top influence of senior players at the club; and if you don’t get along with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Didier Drogba there’s a fair chance you’ll never have the backing of the dressing room – as AVB so criminally found out. There has been a call for Jose Mourinho’s return to the Bridge, especially since he’d be the only one who’d not be under the Mourinho shadow, and also the fact that he has iterated his desire of going back to English football one day. Even so, one feels that until he finishes his task at Real Madrid – whatever that might signify – he’d not want to jump ship just yet. Plus it might take more than a few bouquets and “I’m Sorry” cards from Abramovich to convince Jose to settle the ego dispute.
It is said Pep Guardiola is on the top of Abramovich’s list and while that might just be wishful thinking on the Russian’s part; since Pep has won everything that he could with Barcelona, he might just want a new challenge. Rafael Benitez has also put his name forward and since he has a strong European record and is no stranger to unceremonious exits, it could be a match made in heaven – even though the free-flowing football bit might just have to be thrown out of the window.
Then there’s Fabio Capello – but with the Terry, Lampard, Cole influence, it might never materialise. There’s the name of Sven-Goran Eriksson being thrown into the cauldron as well. All the same, who ever takes over the reins at Stamford Bridge would have to deal with inflated egos, ridiculous expectations, an arid patience reservoir and an oh so evident “high maintenance” owner.
