Vangelis Metsis
Coming off the back of a Premier League and FA Cup double, Carlo Ancelotti was rightly favoured to lead Chelsea once again to league glory in the 2010/11 campaign. Perhaps too the Italian, two times a Champions League-winning manager with AC Milan, could crack the code in Europe – something which would delight Blues owner Roman Abramovich. But, less than two years after being appointed, Ancelotti is gone; a second place finish and run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League not enough to sate Chelsea’s appetite.
Who then will be Chelsea’s choice to succeed Ancelotti? Inside Futbol look at the favourites to slip into the dugout at Stamford Bridge in time for next season:
Andre Villas-Boas – Age: 33 – Current Job: FC Porto Manager
The appointment of Villas-Boas would surely be a popular one amongst the Chelsea faithful. The young Portuguese boss worked with mentor Jose Mourinho at the club before following the current Real Madrid coach to Inter. At the start of the 2009/10 season it was time for Villa-Boas to take his first "proper" job, as Academica boss. Now at Portugal’s dominant club side FC Porto, the 33-year-old has continued his ascent in the game, leading his team to this season’s Portuguese league title without losing a game, as well as putting the Europa League on president Pinto da Costa’s sideboard. An upwardly mobile, progressive coach in the style of Mourinho, Villas-Boas has stated his determination to remain at the Estadio do Dragao next season, but that could be tested if Chelsea come calling.
Guus Hiddink – Age: 64 – Current Job: Turkey Head Coach
A move for Hiddink would not be unexpected for Chelsea. The Dutchman is known to have made a big impact on owner Roman Abramovich who trusts the former Russia coach’s instinct. Called upon to act as a fireman following the short spell of Luiz Felipe Scolari at Stamford Bridge in 2009, Hiddink stabilised the side and went on to win the FA Cup, resisting pleas to stay on as permanent manager and returning to his role with Russia. Vastly experienced at the highest level and feted as one of the best managers in the game, Hiddink will be high on any Chelsea shortlist. Tempting the former PSV Eindhoven boss away from his job as Turkey coach though could be difficult, especially with qualification for Euro 2012 still possible for the 73 million-strong nation.
Harry Redknapp – Age: 64 – Current Job: Tottenham Hotspur Manager
Redknapp has worked wonders at Spurs since taking the job in 2008 and this will not have gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge. While the Englishman is responsible for guiding the London side to the upper reaches of the Premier League, leaving the memories of lower table dwelling under his predecessor Juande Ramos but a distant memory, it is his first campaign in the Champions League which could pique Chelsea’s interest. Not afraid to continue to play a refreshing brand of attacking football against Europe’s best, Redknapp topped a group containing holders Inter this season, before dumping their city rivals AC Milan out in the Round of 16. Only a Jose Mourinho-inspired Real Madrid proved too strong. If Chelsea did decide Redknapp was their man, a bitter battle could well ensue, with Spurs determined to hold onto the man who brought Champions League football to White Hart Lane.
Jose Mourinho – Age: 48 – Current Job: Real Madrid Manager
A return for Mourinho might appear far-fetched, but it is not impossibility. The Portuguese enjoyed massive success at Stamford Bridge between 2004 and 2007, winning two Premier League titles, before his relationship with Chelsea and Abramovich appeared to deteriorate. It was with a twist of fate that Mourinho – who parted company with the club after a dour 1-1 draw with Norwegian side Rosenborg in the Champions League and the air of pessimism about his chances of picking up the trophy Chelsea craved ensued – won the very piece of silverware Chelsea craved with Inter, his next job. Should Abramovich feel Mourinho is indeed the man to lead Chelsea to success in Europe then an approach could be forthcoming. However, with the resignation of director general and Mourinho rival Jorge Valdano from Real Madrid and the subsequent strengthening of the Portuguese’s hand, events look to have conspired against Chelsea and any move for their former manager could have come too late.
Josep Guardiola – Age: 40 – Current Job: Barcelona Manager
Already on record as stating that no coach can remain at the Camp Nou for the long term, Barcelona boss Josep Guardiola will be an attractive proposition to Chelsea’s power brokers. The Spaniard has enjoyed nothing but success since taking over the Blaugrana in 2008, moving up from his role as Barcelona B boss. Three La Liga titles, one Champions League and one Copa del Rey – with a Treble in his first season – stand as testament to Guardiola’s qualities. Should Chelsea learn Guardiola can be tempted away from Barcelona, and his tiki-taka brand of football will certainly appeal to Abramovich, then his appointment could become a distinct possibility. All depends on the 40-year-old making the judgement for himself that the time is right to move on.
Gianfranco Zola – Age: 44 – Current Job: Unattached
If Gianfanco Zola is unveiled at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s new manager then it will surely not be for his exploits in the dugout. The 44-year-old has only managed West Ham United since retiring from the game and his two-year spell in charge at Upton Park was, despite placing his trust in a number of youngsters who would go on to have an impact, underwhelming. The Italian though remains popular and there is a sense that, given West Ham have slipped out of the Premier League this season, the Hammers could have shown more faith in a manager learning the game. Admired by Abramovich, who tried to bring back the then-36-year-old from Cagliari soon after acquiring Chelsea, the Blues could decide to give Zola an opportunity to fulfil his coaching potential.
Rafael Benitez – Age: 51 – Current Job: Unattached
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has been out of work since being sacked by Inter just before Christmas, yet if Abramovich shifts the focus of his next appointment solely to potential Champions League success, the Spaniard must be considered a frontrunner. A winner in 2005, masterminding an astonishing comeback victory against AC Milan for Liverpool in Istanbul, Benitez also reached the 2007 final, only losing out to the same team, led once again by Ancelotti. Having outwitted Chelsea on numerous occasions in Europe’s top competition, and on a fraction of the budget, Benitez has a strong case. While not winning the Premier League despite coming close in the 2008/09 season, he has a good relationship with recent Blues arrival Fernando Torres, knows the country and importantly is unattached. On the lookout for a "big" club job, the former Valencia coach would surely jump at the opportunity to take over at Stamford Bridge.
Didier Deschamps – Age: 42 – Current Job: Marseille Manager
The tough-tackling and combative former midfielder is an ex-Chelsea player, having spent a single season (1999/00) at Stamford Bridge. Since making the move into management in 2001, the Frenchman has done nothing but impress. At Monaco, the club that handed him his first chance to make an impact, Deschamps took the principality side to the Champions League final in 2004, losing out to Jose Mourinho’s FC Porto. With an inferior group though, that should not count against him. Never one to shy away from a challenge, the 1993 and 1996 Champions League winner rescued former club Juventus from Serie B in the 2006/07 campaign, a good turn that Bianconeri followers will always be grateful for. Now at Marseille, the Ligue 1 title was won last season, although not this, and the 42-year-old has constantly been linked with other clubs; he turned Liverpool down last summer. A switch to Chelsea and the challenge that would bring may well appeal, though Marseille are reluctant to lose their coach.
David Moyes – Age: 48 – Current Job: Everton Manager
It was Moyes’ Everton that inflicted the last defeat of the Ancelotti era on Chelsea, but even that did not paper over a disappointing campaign for the Toffees. Everton began the season dreaming of a Champions League place, however relegation worries dominated early on. By the time their obvious quality began to show, a spot even in the Europa League was a bridge too far. None of this undermines the superb work Moyes has done since his arrival on Merseyside some nine years ago though and he remains highly rated throughout the Premier League. Operating on a shoestring budget, the Scot is believed to be unhappy at the club’s inability to back his ambitions and the Chelsea job would undoubtedly be almost impossible for the former Preston North End manager to resist. A lack of experience in the Champions League would seem to count against him though.
Avram Grant – Age: 56 – Current Job: Unattached
Sacked by West Ham for taking the Hammers down this season, Grant can claim not to have received the backing of the club’s owners and it was even suggested his job was offered to six other managers in January. The Israeli could though yet serve as a fall-back option for Chelsea, particularly if the manager’s seat needed keeping warm for 12 months until the Blues’ first choice target was available. While relegations with Portsmouth and West Ham may reflect badly on Grant, his time at Chelsea, in the 2007/08 season (before being sacked) saw the club reach the Champions League final in Moscow. For all his detractors, Grant is still the manager to have taken the Blues closest to winning the coveted trophy (losing on penalties to Manchester United) and enjoys a good relationship with Chelsea’s players.
Marco van Basten – Age: 46 – Current Job: Unattached
An underwhelming spell as Holland national team coach and then a turbulent 2008/09 season with Ajax would not seem to be a CV to attract Chelsea, but Marco van Basten does have his backers, Guus Hiddink amongst them. A glittering playing career suggests an ability to communicate well with the stars at Stamford Bridge, however a lack of Champions League experience could hamper his claim. Van Basten would be a surprise appointment, but the Dutchman would instantly command respect. He has stated his interest in the job too and is unattached.
