Goodbye Claudio?

bq. Chelsea Football Club's owner, Roman Abramovich, faces an unenviable communications task as he tries to placate the media and the fans on the Claudio Ranieri issue.

bq. What amuses me is the impression that Abramovich can be swayed by pro-Ranieri sentiment. People who think that just do not understand the Russian mindset: these are not people swayed by the sentimental.

bq. Abramovich remains close to the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. I would remind readers of Putin's handling of the stricken naval sub Kursk. Putin simply would not allow the Americans to help, as he feared it would expose Russian secrets. The world was outraged, but this is the way Russian oligarchs do business.

bq. Abramovich will win at all costs. He will sacrifice anything, and that includes Ranieri. The subsequent mediafest will be forgotten when good results come.

As much as I love Claudio Ranieri, and as much as I want him to stay, I fear it's inevitable that he'll be sacked at the end of the current season (not even winning the Champions League will save him). And, as the above article from the Times Online points out, it will be forgotten when the good results come.

Such is life.