After one of his longest nights in charge, a 3-0 defeat against Juventus, Roberto Di Matteo’s term as Chelsea manager will now be remembered as being profoundly short.
After one of his longest nights in charge, a 3-0 defeat against Juventus, Roberto Di Matteo’s term as Chelsea manager will now be remembered as being profoundly short.
You would have to say that out of all the managers now sacked by Roman Abramovich, Di Matteo’s removal will be the most bittersweet for Chelsea’s fans; a club legend in his playing days and the man to finally bring the Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge, which Abramovich, of course, craved so strongly.
After a promising start to the season, 2 defeats in a row has knocked Roberto on the floor with the venom of one of Mike Tyson’s infamous right hooks. You can’t help but feel sorry for the guy, taking on a job that even George Entwistle would probably have stayed far away from. That said, his appointment was originally temporary, and probably lasted this long because of the Champions League win. Had they lost the final his fate would probably have resembled that of Avram Grant in 2008; over even before he had his hands on the silver medal. You can’t help but think Abramovich was waiting for an excuse to terminate Di Matteo’s appointment, the last 2 results appearing before him like the 50p that found Charlie the last golden ticket.
It isn’t fantastic timing to sack a manager before playing Premiership champions Manchester City, but unfortunately for Di Matteo it seems Abramovich just loves sacking people. He probably enjoys it more than seeing his managers do well. If they do well he would just exterminate them anyway, like Henry VIII and his wives.
Now it looks like it will be the turn of Rafa Benitez, if he is mad enough. Reports suggest he will only be given a contract until the end of the season with Abramovich still keen on hiring former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola for the long term. Will he even last that long?
Rafa does have his strengths. He might be the man to finally get the best out of Fernando Torres; he is responsible for the Spain striker’s arrival in England during his fruitful spell at Liverpool. Torres has been tediously erratic since signing for the Blues, to the point where it is now more of a shock if he does score in a game. Benitez also guided Liverpool to their famous Champions League win in 2005. Apart from that, though, what will he bring to the table that Di Matteo couldn’t? If he becomes the 9th manager to be sacked under Abramovich, then will Guardiola be deterred (if he isn’t already)?
Chelsea are one game away from being dumped out of the Champions League, potentially the first winners to go out in the group stage. If Benitez is in charge when that happens, I wouldn’t be surprised if Abramovich lets him go. It will surely be hard for Rafa to watch the games he is in charge of at Stamford Bridge whilst permanently looking over his shoulder.
