Chelsea FC

Another Chelsea departure:

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Frank Arnesen has resigned from his position of sporting director effective at the end of this season."

"Chelsea FC chairman Bruce Buck said, 'Frank has spoken to me several times over the past year with regards to seeking new challenges, so his decision comes as no surprise to us. Frank has done an exceptional job here at Chelsea over the last six years and the incredibly strong Academy and youth system Frank leaves behind him is a fitting tribute to his time at Chelsea. We do appreciate that he has given us plenty of notice which gives us time to consider whether and how we restructure the football department."

The media are reporting today that Andre Villas-Boas is set to move from Porto to become the next Chelsea manager (regardless of the fact that they have all been saying up to now that Hiddink would get the job).

With the appointment said to be close, most bookmakers have suspended betting on the next Chelsea manager, although you can still get a bet on at Betfair. However, in the time it's taken me to write this post the odds on Andre Villas-Boas being appointed have gone out a bit, being 1/13 a few minutes ago but now 2/9.

Big mistake IMO. He might've had some success with a very good Porto side, but he is ridiculously inexperienced. Only two years as a manager ! Besides, people will just think of him as Mourinho lite. Poor move. Especially (presuming the reports are accurate) if they will have to pay £13M to get him out of his contract.

It doesn't look like it's a done deal yet. Villas-Boas has been steady for the last few hours at 1/4 with Hiddinck priced around 6/1. You may say that Villas-Boas is inexperienced as a coach, but then so was Guardiola when he was given the Barcelona job and he's hardly stopped winning since then.

But, like Villas-Boas, Guardiola took over a very good team when his managerial career began. If Guardiola went to Chelsea, or any other team for that matter, I suspect he would be exposed as being in over his head. I have more respect, and value managers that dont need tens of millions to spend on new players. If Villa-Boas takes charge at Stamford Bridge and DOESN'T bring in a host of new names, and then leads them to success (domestically and/or abroad), then I will eat my words. Somehow

If Villas Boas gets the Chelsea job he'll be younger than some of the players, Lampard, Drogba, Anelka.

Well he's resigned as Porto manager so looks pretty certain that he'll get the job, although I did say that about Hiddink a few days ago, so you never know

Chelsea statement today: "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that Andre Villas-Boas will be the club's new manager. He has signed a 3 year contract and will start work immediately."

Question is how long will Chelsea keep him if doesn't win anything.

(22-06-2011 10:12 )kalel76 Wrote:  Question is how long will Chelsea keep him if doesn't win anything.

Villas Boas to be at Chelsea for at least one season: 2/15
Leave Chelsea before the end of this coming season: 6/1