The club’s revealing accounts laid bare the £28 million it cost to sack Carlo Ancelotti and his staff. Is it looking like an expensive mistake?
Roman Abramovich could buy the most expensive grass in the world.
The problem for the Russian oligarch is that the grass is always greener on the other side.
When he politely sacked Italian double-winner Carlo Ancelotti last summer, he would have expected improved results.
In the end last season Chelsea finished second.
This season the way it is going they are on a knife-edge to finish fourth.
The sight of Roman Abramovich and his henchman at Chelsea’s training ground this week was an ominous sign for former Porto manager Villas-Boas.
Rather than giving him a kick up the backside, the club’s hierarchy were keen to put across that the owner was trying to find a way to work with the current manager.
Well he is going to have to.
It cost a huge amount to buy Villas-Boas out of his Porto contract, and to sack him and his staff would involve at least another seven-figure payout.
But sacking him would be pointless. Villas-Boas is a young coach with a lot to prove, but he also needs time.
Both men seem to have underestimated the challenge facing Chelsea’s squad this season, especially galling for Abramovich must be that his new man has still to get the best out of Fernando Torres. But lets face it, could anyone right now?
The endless cycle of hiring and firing cannot continue at Chelsea if they want to be successful.
While Abramovich may be tempted to bring in Jose Mourinho if he is available, Villas-Boas has got him over a barrel.
The owner must realise his manager needs to be given another couple of seasons at the helm before he is judged.
What must be clear now is that he jumped the gun in sacking Ancelotti. The Italian’s points total would absolutely be higher than Villas-Boas, if he were still in charge.
In truth the whole situation is a right old mess of the Russian’s own making.
While from a financial point of view Abramovich can afford what he wants, he will not want another £28 million sacking outlay on his books, so it is time for him to keep his patience.
How long should Villas-Boas be given?
image: © Free-ers
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