Mourinho’s shocking departure has left one of the hottest managerial seats in football unoccupied. As the quality of Chelsea’s squad is immense and Abramovich’s chequebook is thicker than the latest Harry Potter book, it should come as no surprise if managers will form a queue to apply for the job at The Bridge.
So this naturally opens the door for a ton of speculation, but realistically speaking, who could actually take the job with immediate effect? Avram Grant has been named as manager for the time being but Abramovich will most likely look for a manager with credentials (Ed: And the desire to win playing ‘stylish football’, apparently..
It has become common knowledge over the past few seasons that Mourinho’s style of play is not one that the Russian billionaire behind all of Chelsea’s recent success desires his team to play. Word has it that he wants his team to play like Manchester United or Arsenal do… but there are few managers who could actually entertain at that level and still keep the club firing on all fronts. One those few managers has proven to be the man behind Barcelona’s recent success.
Frank Rijkaard did not have the best record as he took the Barcelona hot seat in 2003, but armed with the likes of Ronaldiho, Eto’o and Deco while the back door was kept safe by the likes of Puyol he managed to turn his fortunes around. Following an average inaugural season at Camp Nou, Rijkaard and his superstars produced some of the most beautiful football over the following two seasons. And the team which was built around Ronaldinho managed to win back-to-back La Liga titles and a Champions League – just the type of success Abramovich craves.
Rijkaard’s fourth season in charge, however, was a massive disappointment: Ronaldinho was often far away from his best and with the likes of Eto’o and Messi out for lengthy periods of time, the team struggled. Last season’s failures, combined with this season’s poor start could easily have changed Rijkaard’s status at the club from ‘important’ to ‘dispensible’, and president Joan Laporta might flirt with the idea of bringing in ‘The Special One’ if their flying Dutchman does eventually depart.
Rijkaard is not the only Dutchman thought to be on Abramocivh’s shortlist. Current Russia manager Guus Hiddink has constantly been touted as a potential replacement for Mourinho since the former Chelsea manager fell out with the Russian billionare earlier this year. Again Hiddink appeals to the Chelsea board for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the style of play that he adopts while he is in control of the more talented teams is often very entertaining — entertaining enough to attract more than 25,000 fans. Secondly, but perhaps more importantly, Hiddink is a very successful manager.
Having taken South Korea to the fourth place in the 2002 World Cup was surprising enough, but more recently his Australia team were highly unfortunate to bow out in the round of 16 at 2006 World Cup after a referee mistake sent the Italians to the penalty spot with just seconds remaining in the match. His club career is equally impressive as he managed three titles in four years at PSV Eindhoven and managed to make his team a constant presence in the latter stages of the Champions League.
There might be obstacles which could prevent him from leaving his current job; however it will be nothing the big man at Stanford Bridge will not be able to solve. As far as his replacement goes, it is unlikely that the Russian FA will find someone nearly as talented as Hiddink with Mourinho – or any other of the top managers – unlikely to take up that job any time soon.
The third of many possibilities for Abramovich will be to appoint someone relatively unknown in the managerial ranks; someone like Zola. The Chelsea legend was “seen” with employees of the club recently thus setting fire to another speculation bomb. In reality, he does not have much experience as far as coaching goes. In fact he is a total novice, but that could easily tempt Abramovich.
The small wages which he might command will not be a factor in the end decision, but his small ego might. Looking from the outside it seems that Roman likes to meddle in team affairs. Signing Shevchenko is the most obvious example of his involvement, however it is unlikely that Mourinho was very tolerant when it came to imposed tactics and team selection. A minnow will not oppose this very much, which might be just the kind of attitude the Russian billionaire wants from his employee.
Of course, as far as options goes, these three would be just a few in a pile of resumes which will arrive on Abramovich’s desk once the postman starts delivering the mail this morning. But realistically speaking they might well be the three strongest candidates to one of the most pleasant jobs in English football.
As far as Mourinho goes, it is unlikely that he will take charge of another Premier League club, although Ahmed’s argument on why he might join Tottenham is convincing. It is also unlikely that he will take a position at a lesser club than Chelsea, which could well result in him being unemployed for the rest of the season. At the moment though, the strongest club which might chose to appoint Mourinho in place of their current manager is Internazionale.
The Italian champions have every reason to be unhappy with their current manager, Mancini. Although he led them to the title last season, their first in 18 years, he could not do it without the help of a match-fixing scandal. Over his previous seasons in charge of the blue side of San Siro, he disappointed with his results… Mourinho would fit the bill for a club like Internazionale and the Portuguese maestro might be tempted by the Italian league, which is more focused on the tactical aspects of the game and, like him, puts results over performances. And then there is also the possibility of Barcelona coming in with a juicy offer for ‘The Special One’.
When Mourinho first came to Chelsea three years and a bit ago, he said: “don’t call me arrogant because I speak the truth … I am a special one.” He kept his style since and has been constant entertainment for fans and journalists alike off the pitch. And if he does not continue his career in England, his unique style, his criticisms and complaints as well as egg analogies et al. will be sorely missed, even by his strongest critics…
Very good article. I’m not that shocked over Mourinho’s departure it was always going to happen at some point after the known fallout out he had with Abramovich last year.
Regarding Chelsea’s next manager i can’t see Avram Grant being a long term manager for Chelsea unless he delivers either the Champions League and/or the EPL. Even then i still think he’s a stop gap until after Euro 2008 when Gus Hiddink will take charge, if not before then depending on if Russia qualify.
My argument against Rijkaard is that i can’t see Ronaldinho coming to Chelsea just because he’s worked under Rijkaard before and Hiddink is more likely to be able to get the best out of the players than Rijkaard as shown with Ronaldinho’s poor form last year
Good article mate.
Hiddink then? I was hoping for something more self-destructive.
I hear Schuster isn’t happy at Madrid either…
So the current “guesses” are:
Zola, Hiddink, Rijkaard, Koeman, or Scolari.
Ex-Brazil coach may lead for Ronnie or Adriano to go to Chelsea and with Portugal failing to qualify for Euro (I called it first!), scolari is the next manager of Chelsea by next season!
The fact that every Chelsea press release mentions Grant/Clarke as a tandem indicates to me that Grant or Clarke won’t be around very long.
I could write forever on this one but will limit it to just a few points.
1.Mourinho doesn’t have and never had a ‘style of play’ at Chelsea. All he did was collect expensive players, sometimes to stop rivals getting them on their books. He never quite knew what his best team was, whether to use wide players or not and frequently compromised his team because of clashes with individuals (Robben, Gallas, Ballack, Schevenko etc).
2.I have never seen anything to support the endless assertions that he is an outstanding coach. No onfield tactics or team formation. An inability to get on with so many players. Where are the supporting facts?
3.I said before his appointment that the ‘tea lady’ at Chelsea could be given the job and, with the money available, bring success. Nothing changes this view. Any number of managers could have delivered what Mourinho did and probably more, and with style and dignity thrown in.
4.Any club that employs Mourinho is asking for trouble. His ego goes before everything and as far as he is concerned no one else at the club has a voice above his own.
5.”Will be sorely missed, even by his strongest critics”,
Sorry mate, not me. Arrogant, small minded, insulting and disrespectful to Chelsea players and staff alike as well as officials, other teams players, managers and even entire clubs.
I could go on an on.
Good riddance you angry little man!
1 – Chelsea’s next manager: Hiddink, Rijkaard, Koeman, Schuster, Lippi, Ranieri, Capello, Deschamps.
However, Mourinho’s results at Chelsea have raised the bar and whoever gets the job is going to have a though time (with the fans demanding titles and the players wanting to leave the sinking ship…).
2 — Mourinho just has to relax by the phone and wait for the invitations (from Inter, Barcelona or Real — my money is on Inter).
@BD Condell – I guess now we all have the opportunity to see wether your tea lady can indeed do the job?
BD Condell: “disrespectful to Chelsea players and staff alike”, I guess this is why all the players want to leave now that he is gone and most of the backroom staff already left… beside, tell me that you will not miss his anaolgies:) Great managerial skills? I have two games for you: Chelsea-Barcelona 2004, Bayern-Chelsea 2004. Collecting players? I guess this is why he got Essien or Drogba: to keep them as far away from Real Madrid as possible
Brian, I don’t think Grant will be in charge come May, my bet is they will have a replacement by next month’s international break btw.
Anyway what do you make of the ‘exodus’ – as BBC calls it?
“The Italian champions have every reason to be unhappy with their current manager, Mancini. Although he led them to the title last season, their first in 18 years, he could not do it without the help of a match-fixing scandal.” BULLS***!
Did you see how good we were in the league last season? If all the teams had their points back, we would still have won by 21 points.
Mancini has done great domestically, but in Europe, I agree, he isn’t good enough. He hasn’t proved it anyway, and I hate to say that because he helped turn us around.
Mourinho should fit the bill, but he’ll bring way too much publicity, especially bad publicity! He is a great manager, but usually a b*****ks as well.
I’m going to let it play out, as I’m sure Inter know how to handle all the rumours and anything else.
Moro for France. ‘Twill happen, yes it will.
@Andrei
I’m not sure it’ll be by the next international break but i certainly think Abramovich will want someone in before the season ends as it will help settle the players.
As for the ‘exodus’ i think at the moment its just headline grabbing as the majority of players have a good number of years left on their contracts. They’re also on very good wages and unless they have a major clash of personalities with the new coach (after Avrim) then they’re more likely to stay.
Obviously there’s a big question over Lampard as he still hasn’t signed a new contract. It might also depend on where Mourinho ends up next and if he come back for the likes of Carvalho or Drogba
neazurri, may i remind you that the reason you were so good is because you got ibrahimovich and vieira from juve…. if juventus were still in seria a, inter would have had more competition.
but i do not really follow the italian league anymore so i should not argue, all i know is that inter would not be as good as they are if they did not have ibra and vieira and mancini’s tactics are worrying, remember when stankovich had to clear off the goal line to prevent milan from bouncing back from three goals down? sounds like bad tactics to me…
Our next manager is a Yes-man for Roman and someone who will only care to play for the Champions League.
Wow! That sounds a lot like Rafa Benitez! Just kidding…
Chelsea’s next manager will be Sir Alex Ferguson.
Fair points Andrei. The match fixing did help, but wasn’t the full reason for league success.
You’re quite right about Mancini. Thinking about things, I’m losing more and more confidence in him 🙁 , but, as I said, I’ll wait for things to play out.
Hi guys..NICE article…I HAVE A hot feeling tat Jose will manage a nationel team since he has not tried yet…MCLAREN WATCH UR BACK!
neazzuri, dnt lose confidence in ure team, beside having a not-so-good manager, the actual team is frighteningly good…
hehe jimmy, and i will take over at old traford…
I still have faith in Inter and Mancini, and always will, but your article made me think about it. And now that i think about it, this is almost the same start to the season as last season.