AVB replacing Mourinho at Chelsea dafter than ‘interim Rodgers’
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Only time will tell how far Roman Abramovich’s notoriously-thin patience will stretch where Chelsea’s most successful manager is concerned, but whatever the fate of Jose Mourinho, latest rumours beggar belief in much the same way results at Stamford Bridge have this season.
On the eve of another pivotal Premier League match at home to Liverpool, where Chelsea are 11/10 to win, the gossip columns are awash with potential post-Mourinho scenarios.
Even in spite of the managerial pantomimes that have besmirched Abramovich’s reign so far, eyes could not help but pop at reports suggesting the Russian billionaire was lining up none other than Andre Villas-Boas.
The one-time managerial protégé of Mourinho at Porto quickly saw his burgeoning reputation chewed up and spat out in the Premier League, firstly by Chelsea themselves and latterly by Tottenham.
Yet, quite unbelievably, after securing one Russian Premier League title with traditional powerhouses Zenit St Petersburg and overseeing three straight group-stage victories in the Champions League, suddenly AVB is flavour of the month again.
It’s not a case of belittling these achievements, but gold-fish length memories seem almost exclusively reserved for football.
Would the Portuguese tactician even consider going back to a club that sacked him less than nine months into a three-year contract, after the Blues broke the bank to lure him away from his homeland?
Even if Villa-Boas felt he had unfinished business in the Premier League, turning up at Stamford Bridge or White Hart Lane in the home dugout might well be a step too far.
If AVB’s potential return is laughable, then reports linking Brendan Rodgers with an interim post at the Bridge are nearly as ludicrous.
Rodgers may have developed as a coach in west London, but the fate of previous interim appointments at Stamford Bridge should see the axed Liverpool boss running for the hills if approached.
Both Roberto Di Matteo and Rafael Benitez won European trophies, the former delivering Abramovich the holy grail of the Champions League after mere months in the job, yet neither were granted the chance to build on their successes.
In order to repair his own damaged reputation Rodgers should take the plunge with a club prepared to give him the time that is simply not afforded to those in one of football’s hottest seats.
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