Chelsea recently announced that they had sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo. Although there had been rumours flying around that he was under pressure, I honestly didn’t think that Roman Abramovich would sack him that soon. I was really shocked. It begs the question though: what on earth is Abramovich thinking? Why even give Di Matteo the contract to start with if he was going to sack him 12 games into the season after a few bad results? If every club took this view there would be no managers left.
I write this article as a Gooner who has been criticising the board at Arsenal for a few months, but I would never want Arsenal to be in the place that Chelsea are this morning. The two clubs couldn’t be anymore opposite, if they both moved an inch the other way and met in the middle, then both clubs would soar. If Chelsea trusted a manager instead of spending millions on sacking them and if Arsenal replaced sold players and re-invested in quality players then the two Manchester clubs wouldn’t stand a chance.
When you look at the facts it is quite shocking. Chelsea have had 9 managers in 8 years and have spent £72mil (now £80mil) on sacking these managers. It is also not the first time that they have sacked someone after a short tenure. How does Roman ever expect to win anything if he doesn’t allow someone to build up consistency? Roberto Di Matteo lasted 262 days which is more than Scolari (223), AVB (256) and Grant (247) managed to achieve, but this isn’t something that the club should be proud of. None of these managers had a fair chance of showing what they can do and their careers have suffered for it after.
There are many fans that are moaning their clubs are in crisis, but I think Chelsea fans have every right to have their say on this. I’m yet to find a Chelsea or any football fan that thinks that this sacking is the best thing for Chelsea. In fact everyone is saying that it is a really shocking decision to make and totally undeserved.
Di Matteo might not have won the last few games, but they are 3rd in the league and have a real shot of competing for top place, they are still in all other competitions including Champion’s league despite hanging by a thread. It’s a situation that has been handled badly and it’s a mark of huge disrespect towards a manager that also is very much a big part of Chelsea’s history.
So what next for Chelsea? They’ve taken Rafa Benitez, on as an interim manager, a choice that seems to be a complete head-shaker for the fans who have expressed their feelings very clearly that if Rafa gets hired then they won’t go to games and they will protest.
I can understand the logic with Abramovich on this one: to put it bluntly he does not want to admit he made a mistake with Torres and sell him at a loss so he’s hiring the only man he knows can get the best out of him. Benitez will change Chelsea’s whole formation and way of play. Maybe that’s what they need, but it will be very different for the team. I understand why he is not wanted by the fans though, I’m not entirely sure he is viewed as being good enough for the position.
If Chelsea have proved anything today, it is that you can employ some of the best managers in the world and chuck lots of money at the team, but it doesn’t always buy the success that they seek so badly. In fact it seems to have hindered the team more than anything. Rafa Benitez is a brave man for taking what is effectively a poisoned chalice. Let’s hope his career doesn’t suffer as a result.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Since Abramovich arrived, Chelsea have had nine managers, Tottenham have had eight. And with AVB at Spurs, it’ll probably be nine apiece soon. Difference is, Abramovich’s management choices result in trophies. Levy’s result in nothing. Another trophy or two will come Chelsea’s way this season, unlike Spurs (or Arsenal).
I personally think Benitez is the perfect manager to bring out the best in Chelsea’s so-called new “Defensive” 4-2-3-1,which in my opinion is actually balanced,not defensive. He used it at Liverpool and teams found it difficult to break his team down. Now if you look at Chelsea,the players in the Final third are extremely quick and is probably the most lethal counter attackers in the Premier League if managed well. These players are Hazard,Torres,Mata,Oscar and Ramires. Benitez didn’t have this kind of talent at Liverpool,yet they were lethal on the counter attack with players like Torres,Kuyt,Gerrad and Alonso. If Benitez can use the Chelsea players to their strengths then he should be fine until his contract runs out.