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| SIR ALEX FERGUSON PUTS UNITED IN TO THE LEAD WITH 19 PREM TITLES. |
CHELSEA have sacked boss Carlo Ancelotti after they failed to win any silverware this season, but who's in the frame to take over ?
1. Guus Hiddink [64]
Roman didn’t want to lose him the first time around after a successful stint at the club. The Dutchman lost just one game during his temporary stint at Stamford Bridge. The Dutchman, 64, guided the Blues to FA Cup glory after taking control in February 2009 following the sacking of Big Phil Scolari. "Since I left two years ago I've been advising the club on things concerning the squad."
2. Marco Van Basten [46]
Another Dutchman who has been repeatedly linked with the Chelsea job over the last few years. His achievements as a coach are not exactly earth-shattering, but Abramovich has a different set of criteria to the rest of us. He is also Guus Hiddink's recommendation to succeed Ancelotti.
3. Avram Grant [56]
Another Abramovich favourite now available on the cheap after leaving his previous post (you might have heard about that). You would think Roman had learnt his lesson, but you can never be sure. Rumoured to lined up as the new Director of Football at CFC.
4. Andre Villas-Boas [33, same age as Drogba]
The highly-rated Porto boss is touted as the new Mourinho, and Abramovich would love a new era of Mourinho-style success. He’s also been pimping his contract release clause around in recent days. Hiddink agreeing to move upstairs would open the door for Villas-Boas, who is currently the hottest young coach around. Dubbed the new 'Special One' after breaking several records set by Jose Mourinho at Porto, the 33-year-old knows Stamford Bridge well having worked as a scout under his fellow Portuguese. He would be a gamble but he wrapped up the Portuguese championship with five games to spare and last week added the Europa League title in Dublin before making it three trophies for the season with victory in the Portuguese Cup final on Sunday.
5. Jose Mourinho [48]
Why go for the new Mourinho when you could have the original? His Marmite status at Real Madrid is well-documented and he has made no secret of his desire to return to England for his next post. It would hurt him to leave Spain without winning the Champions League though. Jose stated recently that if Real sold Ronaldo ... he would quit .. but since then, a rift has developed between the player and his manager. It is believed that Real Madrid have offered him another season to de-throne rivals Barcelona.
6. Didier Deschamps [42]
The ex-Chelsea midfielder has reportedly been on the Blues’ radar in recent times. He has impressed in his tenure at Marseille and Roman could be tempted by the French World Cup winner.
7. Rafa Benitez [51]
He always seemed to have the upper-hand on Chelsea during his time in charge of Liverpool, so could Abramovich be tempted to bring his former nemesis in from the cold ?
Every Chelsea fans nightmare would be to see him in charge at The Bridge.
8. Gianfranco Zola [44]
Another former Chelsea player and one with a bigger write-up in the club’s history books than Deschamps. His time as West Ham manager was not without its wobbles, but most Hammers fans were ultimately happy with Zola’s brand of football. His 17th place finish is also looking pretty favourable at the minute. Rumour has it that he may return as coach under a new manager.
9. Frank Rijkaard [48]
Another example of Abramovich’s apparent penchant for Dutch managers. Rijkaard is always linked with a move to Stamford Bridge when there is a vacancy (and often when there isn’t). He is bound to be among the names circulating once again. He is the man credited with building the present Barca team and won back to back La Liga titles in 04/05 and 05/06. He also led Barcelona to win The Champions League in 05/06.
10. Harry Redknapp
If Abramovich decides bringing in foreign managers is where he has been going wrong then he might plump for the current highest profile English manager. Redknapp has experienced a degree of Champions League success and his achievements at Tottenham speak for themselves.
and as always ... a statement from Sven implies that he has had no contact from Chelsea yet !!!
RELEGATED BLACKPOOL MAY PLAY IN EUROPA LEAGUE ON 'FAIR PLAY' POINTS
Blackpool could follow Birmingham City's lead by participating in the Europa League next season despite being relegated from the top flight.
A place in the competition will go to an English club via the Premier League's fair‑play table and Fulham had been in pole position to claim it in the first qualifying round.
But a red card for Zoltan Gera against Arsenal on Sunday has opened up the prospect of Blackpool taking top spot. The Premier League must await the arrival of its delegates' reports from the games involving Blackpool and Fulham before making a decision, which is expected on Thursday.
The table is calculated not just according to red and yellow cards but also on positive play, respect towards opponent and referees, and the behaviour of club officials.
Birmingham qualified for the Europa League by winning the Carling Cup.
A decision on this matter is expected on Thursday.
MANCHESTER CITY SEAL THIRD WITH COMFORTABLE WIN AT BOLTON
Roberto Mancini's side cemented third place in the Barclays Premier League with this victory and with it automatic entry to the group stages of Europe's premier club competition. Expect another summer spending spree from the Abu Dhabi United Group having already splashed out on Gareth Barry, Roque Santa Cruz, Kolo Touré, Emmanuel Adebayor, Carlos Tévez, Joleon Lescott, Jérôme Boateng, Yaya Touré, David Silva, Aleksandar Kolarov, Mario Balotelli, James Milner and Edin Džeko.
ARSENAL'S SEASON OF FRUSTRATION ENDS WITH A DRAW
Arsenal's season of frustration ended with a 2-2 draw at 10-man Fulham, which will leave the Gunners having to qualify for the Champions League.
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| " I DIDN'T SEE IT COMING " said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. |
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger left the field to chants of "spend some money" from the travelling support, who will expect much better next time around.
DEFEAT BY VILLA ENDS LIVERPOOL EUROPA HOPES
Aston Villa duo Stewart Downing and Ashley Young have been on Liverpool's radar for some time and manager Kenny Dalglish witnessed first-hand their qualities as his side slipped to the defeat which ended their Europa League hopes.
With Tottenham only drawing the Reds could have leapt into fifth place and secured European qualification with a victory but they rarely troubled their hosts yesterday. It means Liverpool have failed to qualify for Europe for the first time since 1999, although many will see that as a blessing [except perhaps for the “Cannibal of Ajax”, Luis Suárez who left that club in January, they have since qualified for next seasons Champions league for the first time in five seasons.] as it will give Dalglish a chance to concentrate on strengthening his squad and making a challenge to get back in the Champions League next season.
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