They say a week is a long time in football and this has been abundantly clear from the events of this week. In what kind of world can a manager who has lifted the Champions League Trophy only six months before become the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season? Obviously, only in Roman Abramovic's world, where money talks and loyalty and club status go out of the window.
Similarly to the beginning of his reign, where another of the now increasingly lengthy catalogue of managers Claudio Ranieri was sacked, despite finishing second in his first season under the Russians reign, another Italian finds himself a victim of inflated expectations. Both Italians took on sides in precarious positions, endearing themselves to the fans, with Di Matteo obviously already firmly in their hearts as a playing legend, yet none of this seems to matter in the eyes of the ruthless Russian, thus illustrating his severe lack of class.
Despite that historic night in the Allianz-Arena, where they defeated a strong Bayern Munich team on their own ground, Di Matteo was clearly never the first choice, given that they took two months to confirm his appointment on a permanent basis, which in itself is a disgraceful way to behave.
Yes Abramovic is a business man, and yes football is a results driven business, but such an approach should not be applied to football, a world where loyalty should be rewarded and where individuals should be given time to flourish. Imagine if Manchester United had dismissed Sir Alex long ago? And look at clubs like Arsenal and Everton, who, in sticking with Arsene Wenger and David Moyes, have progressed at their own individual levels. Chelsea are rapidly becoming in danger of plateauing and never materialising as a genuine threat in World Football on a consistent level.
How can a club develop continuity if they are always looking at changing the manager? Di Matteo has always had the shadow of Pep Guardiola in the background, whilst Jose Mourinho is always talking about having 'unfinished business' in England. It provides unnecessary pressure, and it is what makes Chelsea a poisoned chalice. Rafa Benitez coming in on a short term deal says to me that they are still waiting for Guardiola, and that the job is his if and when he wants it, after his sabbatical. Yet they are totally different managers, with totally different styles of play and footballing philosophies. As Arsene Wenger alluded to, why would Benitez take the job anyway?
The idea behind the appointment of Andre Villas Boas was to rebuild with a young manager at the helm, with new and exciting ideas, but in only 12 months, these ideas were dismissed and Chelsea quickly moved on, going back to the old guard of Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, who both enjoyed one of their best seasons in a blue shirt.
Chelsea, under Abramovic, lack class because they are trying too hard to define themselves and craft an identity and a history. In adopting a first, first, now approach, they are in danger of being left behind both domestically and abroad. Every time they look like developing as a side, they start again as the result of a snap decision by their unscupulous owner.
In new signings Eden Hazard and Oscar, alongside Juan Mata, they possess one of the most exciting attacking trios in World Football, and if Fernando Torres can rediscover his form once more, alongside the next big money striker that will inevitably arrive very soon, they will undoubtedly be challenging come the end of the season. But with all the nonsense going on in the background, such an exciting team may fail to fulfil its potential. Why win the Champions League with one manager, strengthen the side and then simply start over with another manager, and one who is supposedly only staying until the end of the season?
Some have pointed to the fact that Chelsea have won more trophies in the Abramovic period than any other English team, but this is largely down to Jose Mourinho, a special manager who should never have been forced out at the Bridge. If the Blues had only had him as manager in this period, and not a conveyor belt of short-term appointments, I guarantee that they would have lifted more than the solitary Champions League trophy; one that they fought so hard to attain, yet its merit has simply been forgotten.
Abramovic's world is certainly a ruthless one, and one that will continue to make Chelsea look a classless mess should he continue with his ruthless interventions, as opposed to letting someone get on with developing an exciting team of players.
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