With the English Premier League season coming to an exciting end today with Manchester United being crowned champions for a record setting 19th time while Blackpool and League Cup champions Birmingham join West Ham in going down to the Championship, Chelsea made their own big news with the sacking of manager Carlo Ancelotti. A statement on the club's website said that Ancelotti had been fired because he failed to meet the teams objectives for the season.
Chelsea finished the season in second place to Manchester United, behind the champions by 9 points following a 1-0 defeat to Everton on the final day. Ancelotti's inability to repeat as Premier League champions is the primary reason for his dismissal as manager of Chelsea but it his failure to meet objectives probably included his inability to secure the UEFA Champions League crown for Roman Abramovich, who is obsessed with bringing the prestigious trophy to London.
Carlo Ancelotti's poor transfer record may have also played a part in his sacking as manager of Chelsea. The big money signings of David Luiz and Fernando Torres failed to prove their value through out the season. Luiz was no where close to a stable player in the central defense for Chelsea along side stalwart and captain John Terry. He made numerous key mistakes this season that constantly cost Chelsea including a key missed interception on Javier Hernandez's goal in Chelsea's title deciding game at Old Trafford only 3 weeks ago. Torres was by far the worst signing of the Premier League season. After completing a record 50 million pound transfer from Anfield to Stamford Bridge, the Spanish sniper did nothing to prove his worth. Torres scored one goal since his January move and it was only thanks to a puddle that stop his horrible touch from going away from goal.
When all of the evidence is examined, one can understand why Chelsea made the move to sack the Italian manager. But was this the right move for the team?
Last season, Ancelotti delivered the first double in Chelsea history when his side captured the Premier League title from Manchester United along with the League Cup. It was a trophy haul that any club could be proud of and pleased the crowds at Stamford Bridge.
Now, following what will be described as a disappointing season by a club and support base who's standards are too high, Ancelotti was sacked for keeping Chelsea in the Premier League title race the whole season despite a 6 game winless streak. Chelsea also made it to the quarter finals of the Champions League where they lost to a good Manchester United side in a tie two legged affair. At most other clubs, including Arsenal, a season like this one would be considered good enough.
I think it is a mistake for Chelsea to sack Ancelotti following this season. He delivered silverware to Abramovich in his first season in charge of the club and just lost out in a tight title race this season. His performance in the transfer market was disgraceful but but that is never enough to relinquish a manager of his duties. One can not expect Fernando Torres to continue his dismal form much longer and still can serve a purpose at Chelsea in the coming seasons with Drogba and Anelka aging.
The problem for Chelsea has been a lack of stability at the manager position since the departure of Jose Mourinho. Stamford Bridge has been home to 5 different managers (including intern managers) since Jose left London in 2007 with Ancelotti being the most successful one. If Chelsea are trying to create a standard of excellence that includes winning titles they need to settle down with a long term manager who can breed a culture of success. Ancelotti had brought the desired success to the club, but it was not enough for the board and this carrousel of managers can not be having a good effect on the Chelsea players.
With the manager seat now vacant at Stamford Bridge it is time to start speculating about who will be Chelsea's next "intern" manager. The position is a high profile one and rumors will swirl all summer about what world class manager will come in to keep the seat warm. Until one of these managers delivers Roman Abramovich his precious Champions League trophy, there will not be stability at Stamford Bridge.
No comments:
Post a Comment