The nine different managers of the past decade at the Bridge.
With the anniversary of Roman Abramovich’s 10th year at Chelsea fanatix takes a look back at the managers that have come and gone in that time.
The appointment of Jose Mourinho this season represents the 10th change in as many years at Stamford Bridge, but where are they now?
Claudio Ranieri – 2003/04
The popular Italian had three solid years at Chelsea before Abramovich came in and failing to win a trophy in the Russian’s first season at the club saw Ranieri get the boot.
Went onto manage Valencia, Juventus and AS Roma and is now at super-rich AS Monaco who have a new Russian billionaire owner – sound familiar Claudio?
Jose Mourinho – 2004 to 2007
A decidedly younger and less grey, but no less dashing (somebody stop me for god’s sake) Mourinho came to the Bridge in 2004 and won five major trophies in three years.
A bust-up with Abramovich ended proceedings in 2007 when the Portuguese boss went onto win several more pieces of silverware with Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
Avram Grant – 2007/08
The perennially cheerful Grant was promoted/demoted from director of football to manager when Mourinho left in 2007, guiding the club to the Champions League final.
The Israeli managed Portsmouth and West Ham in the following years, before taking charge at Partizan Belgrade for 12 months and is currently out of a job.
Luiz Felipe Scolari – 2008/09
Following success in charge of both Brazil and Portugal Abramovich thought “Big Phil” could be the answer to Chelsea’s problems.
The Brazilian didn’t even last a year and was sacked by February 2009 and is now back leading the Samba Boys.
Guus Hiddink – 2009
The Dutchman came in as a caretaker manager after Scolari as a favour to Abramovich until the end of the season.
However, after winning the FA Cup Blues fans wanted him to stay but Hiddink stayed true to hie word and left with dignity (a feat achieved by very few in west London) before stints with Turkey and now Anzhi Makhachkala.
Carlo Ancelotti – 2009 to 2011
Looks like a gangster but is actually a very good football manager, Ancelotti delivered the league and cup double in his first season in charge.
Failure to win any trophies the following year resulted in a sacking though and the Italian has gone on to win Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and is now the new manager of Real Madrid.
Andre Villas-Boas – 2011/12
The then 34-year-old became the most expensive manager in history when Abramovich bought AVB out of his FC Porto contract for £13.3m and then proceeded to sack him before the season was out.
Since then the young boss has moved to north London and led Tottenham to their highest ever points tally in 2012/13 with 72 and just one place out of the Champions League spots.
Roberto Di Matteo – 2012
The former Chelsea player and West Brom manager was brought in as another caretaker when AVB was sacked, but proceeded to guide the club to FA Cup and Champions League victories.
Abramovich could hardly not give the Italian the job on a permanent basis, yet still sacked him before the year was out. Now unemployed.
Rafael Benitez – 2012/13
The Spaniard was brought in as the absurdly titled interim manager at the end of 2012 and was instantly disliked by Blues fans because of his Liverpool links.
Benitez guided the club to a top four finish and Europa League success but Chelsea fans were still glad to see the back of the 53-year-old, who is now in charge at Napoli.
Jose Mourinho – 2013 to ?
Told you he was still dashing. Mourinho is back in charge at the Bridge until the next falling out with the owner and with a point to prove to all his critics.
Expect mind games and arrogance but on a more mature level for a man who’s now 50 and quite possibly another Premier League title.
