Following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo this week, many
fans, managers and pundits were quick to pour scorn on the Chelsea tycoon and
his unique vision. Whilst it’s undoubtedly true that Abramovich has created a
culture at the club where it’s now impossible to see a manager ever being in
real control, the same can be said of Real Madrid and it hasn’t done them a lot
of harm in the long run. What is worth considering though, are all the comments
that were directed to the Russian about his treatment of the managers who have
come in and ran his team for an average of 250 days (discounting Jose). Are we
missing a big point here? Yes Roman hires and fires managers at will (only 1 of
the last 5 has finished a season he started with the club) but aside from the
massive pay offs, there is a strong argument that every person’s reputation has
actually been enhanced by spending time at the club. Let’s look at the roll
call:
Rainieri – The
incumbent when Roman stepped in, Rainieri was a dead man walking from day one
yet was a likeable presence both on and off the pitch and guided Chelsea to
second in the league and a Champions League semi-final. His reputation was
enhanced at the club and he went on to manage successfully in La Liga and Serie
A.
Mourinho – The special
one. Won 5 trophies in 3 years and has since forged a reputation as arguably
the best current manager in the game. Left Chelsea with a monster pay off and
an even bigger ego than when he joined.
Grant – Grant was
a nobody when he was given the role of Jose’s successor on a temporary basis.
He guided them to a steady second in the league and was a kick away from
winning the Champions League. Left with a reputation as a likeable, talented
manager with a dry sense of humour and was subsequently employed by
West Ham. Ok so he also managed Portsmouth, badly... but then nobody remembers that... not even Portsmouth fans.
Scolari – Scolari’s
reign could arguably be seen as damaging to his reputation, but instead he
earned plaudits from around the world from being the first manager under the
Roman era to turn Chelsea into a team playing free flowing attacking football. He
didn’t buy a lot of players and was subsequently sacked for failing to keep
clean sheets and losing pace with the leaders. His next job? Becoming the
highest paid manager of all time…
Hiddink – Roman’s
second caretaker manager, Hiddink guided Chelsea to the FA Cup and lost but one
match. Left with his reputation even bigger than it was when he took over. So
much so that he’s still spoken about as being THE manager Chelsea should be
courting.
Ancelotti –
Sacked after his second year with the club after the small achievement of
winning Chelsea’s first ever double in his initial season. Reputation arguably
boosted by stint in English football and was the first of three managers to
come unstuck by the “Torres conundrum.”
Villas-Boas – The
only manager on the list who can genuinely claim to have had his standing in
the game reduced by Roman Abramovich. Was touted as the brightest young manager
in the game yet over his 40 games with the club the form and confidence
unravelled and was eventually let go in March with a staggering severance
package. Including the cost to Porto, AVB cost Roman over £30,000,000 to hire
and fire. That’s £775,000 a game…
Di Matteo – The number
two was promoted until the end of the season having had his managerial credentials
burnt by being sacked by West Brom. He delivered another FA Cup and a first
ever Champions League. He united the squad and had begun to usher in a new era
of youthful, attacking football. And Fernando Torres. He leaves the club with a
considerably enhanced reputation than when he joined.
Benitez – Roman’s
4th caretaker manager in barely as many years. Rafa arrives after 2
years out of the game following a Liverpool melt down and an epic fail at
Inter Milan. Baring a complete disaster, it’s hard to see how his reputation
will do anything but go up. Chelsea are likely to finish 3rd
whatever he does and if he wins one of the cups he’ll be in an even stronger
position to negotiate come May.
So there you go. Nine different managers and only one left
with his reputation ruined. And even he got employed straight away down the
road. Far from being a poisoned chalice, there is a strong argument that being
a Chelsea manager will actually enhance your standing in the game. As well as
setting you and your family up for life. Who’d take that job eh…
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