It's not hard to figure out why Chelsea hasn't won any major titles or the English Premier League in years, they have no consistency within the club besides sticking with veteran players that are past their prime (see: John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard).
After a 1-0 loss to West Brom yesterday, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich fired Andre Villas-Boas after only eight months on the job.
Assistant head coach Roberto Di Matteo will be the interim manager for the rest of the season. Chelsea is currently in fifth place in the EPL (one spot away from Champions League play next year) while they're also still alive (albeit down 3-1) in the Champions League and the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Chelsea's statement on the move:
"Andre Villas-Boas has parted company with Chelsea Football Club today. The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.
"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.
"The club is still competing in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.
"With that in mind we felt our only option was to make a change at this time. With immediate effect Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed first team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season."
Realistically, all the Blues can hope for in regards to a top four finish in the EPL is that they catch Arsenal (49 points), who is only three points ahead of them. Tottenham (53 points) is the only other team somewhat in range but Chelsea (13-7-7) would have to go on some kind of run which is unlikely plus Tottenham (16-5-6) would have to falter which I don't see happening.
If Chelsea drops out of fifth and it could happen since Newcastle (44 points) is lurking only two points behind, the Blues would miss out on the Europa League as well which is shocking for a club as rich and powerful as them.
It just goes to show you what happens when you stick with an older roster for too long and continue to change manager year after year. There's no consistency from the top and no matter how much money Abramovich throws at his problems, Chelsea is a black hole as currently constructed.
Di Matteo's first match in charge will be Tuesday night's FA Cup replay at Birmingham. Then Chelsea hosts Napoli next week in a Champions League second leg but they'll have to overcome a 3-1 deficit at Stamford Bridge.
Tweet
Follow @RichSlate
No comments:
Post a Comment