Who wants to jump from their frying pan into our fire?

Your point about defensive frailties in the wake of letting both Huth and Gallas leave is a good one, but I seem to be in a minority of Chelsea fans wondering - why the hell Tal Ben Haim ?? Perhaps I've mysteriously missed a portion of Bolton's season. Yes he's been solid. For Bolton. Is he really the answer to our defensive problems ??? Not a chance in my eyes. Admittedly it will be a struggle to find someone who's available in Europe etc. but surely there are better options than him. And yet I can only think of Upson......

From the list of possible managerial replacements, Deschamps would be my hands-down winning choice, for the simple fact he's an ex-Blue. Of the closer to home choices, only Stuart Pearce for me, but he's too much of a nice guy - not really Chelsea material.

Definitely not Coppell, the Petr Cech incident has made Reading and its associates one of my most hated clubs ever. Accident or not. Then they had the cheek to grab a point at the Bridge.

Of those not on the list, I think it would be interesting to see either Hiddink or Scolari given a chance. Preferably Hiddink.

Hi Fifty

I did think about Hiddinck and Scolari. I ruled out Hiddinck on the grounds of age - I just think this would be too much at 60, despite experience all around the globe. Also, his record of winning whilst OK, is not outstanding so if you're going to take someone on then surely a younger person might be better suited.

Scolari is similar to Lippi in my view - a good international coach, but no PL experience. Hence again, why not go for someone younger, perhaps with an older mentor in tow. If he thought the England job meant telescopic camera lenses up his arse then the Chelsea job is hardly likely to be attractive to him. Also I have an issue with anyone unable to speak English - remember the embarassing few months of Clownio having to be translated by club wallflower Gary Straker (who it transpires only knew a bit of Italian). No, I'd rather not have a repeat of that because that will be a massive problem in the dressing room. The club is English, with an English spine and therefore a central qualification for the coach should be a decent command of the language.

I find it really disconcerting that it has come to this already; it just goes to show the power of the press in this country. Of course Mourinho has added to the speculation with some cryptic statements of his own, but surely we shouldn't be discussing who we want to replace Mourinho just yet?

Saying that, if I have to name my choice as Mourinho's successor I would plump for Gus Hiddink despite his age. He probably wouldn't be at the Bridge that long anyway, given how things seem to be progressing at this moment in time.

It's all got very weird!

Nick,

My sentiments exactly.

I almost shuddered whilst typing a response to Tony - the relentless media circus has got one over on me. Maybe thats where the Tal Ben Haim thing originated. I refuse to believe he's a Chelsea target.

Tony - in my naivety, I was not aware of Hiddink's extended years, so fully agree its not an ideal choice.

Would still plump for Deschamps, young enough to make a difference much like Jose. The Italians are all much of a muchness, and the Dutchmen you mentioned would hardly be welcomed with open arms. Perhaps open bear-traps.

But Jose's going nowhere. They'll all kiss and make up, then we'll buy David Villa in the summer, and Alex will come back from PSV. And Jimmy Smith, Mancienne, Sinclair and Sahar will all break through to the first team more regularly.

And then I wake up.

Hi Nick

I also find it disconcerting but the quality of this blog is that it allows such discussions to take place and doesn't just tow the party line with fan based optimism ruling the roost. My thoughts were based on 35 years of supporting a club with a penchant for doing the completely illogical and barking mad option. We have successfully snatched defeat from the jaws of victory many times before. Who else would sack Eddie Macreadie after a successful season over a company car or sell a great goalscorer in Greaves to a rival. Who else would build a stand that would be funded by the selling of its best players and lead it to the brink of bankruptcy, what other club would let entertain electric fences or sack Ruud Gullit when we were 2nd in the league, or Vialli after 5 games having won more trophies than any other coach. The list goes on and on, and so my article was merely alluding to the potential of what to me would be the utterly ludicrous act of letting JM go or forcing him into a position where he walks. If he does then it's worth discussing the options and to be honest could any of my proposals be considered better than JM - I think we all know the answer to that. I'm happy for you to add Hiddinck, Scolari or anyone else to my list with your own view if you want. Let's just see what others think and get a debate going. Cheers for publishing it, Tony.

Tony is thinking worse case scenario here, but it's still unnerving. It's all very reminiscent of Raneiri's demise.

Tony - Think of me with my fingers in my ears going "La, la, la, la, la... this isn't happening!" ;-)

pls we still need a central defender.

Good stuff as always TG.

I think the list you mention shows two things; one, that there is a real lack of top class managerial talent out there at present (the field narrows even further when you look for PL experience) and two that we already have the best in the business!

Grant did a reasonable job with Israel, but otherwise his CV isn't exactly overburdened with achievement. Deschamps, as Fifty points out at least knows something of English football (was a favourite of Colin Hutchison to come back and take over at the Bridge one day, as I recall).

Of the English based candidates, Hughes and Coleman leap out as the most promising but maybe a little more experience under their respective belts would be useful. Early days for Coppell yet - let's see how he gets on in a second PL season.

RIjkaard is an interesting one; in some quarters it has been suggested that Barca's relative slump post CL win is down to the departure of Henk Ten Cate, who is now at Ajax. And he's hardly likely to be the most popular choice...!

Hiddink and Scolari both have a stated dislike of the English media and the current situation is hardly likely to get them queueing up to take over. I believe the former has also fallen out with Arnesen at some point in the past. And heady World Cup runs / shock qualifications with minnows is fine, but his club level experience away from Holland is pretty thin on the ground (an unmitigated disaster at Real).

Juande Ramos at Sevilla? Claude Puel at Lille? Is Ottmar Hitzfeld past it? Dario Gradi...? :-)

Blame Roman Abramovich and Frank Arnesan. They brought in those flops to the club and dint trust Jose enough. Thats why they are not performing..

And if you think that Mourinho wanted to let Gallas go, hold on a moment.. Its Peter Kenyon and Arnesan who were behind it because they hated his attitude while Mourinho clearly stated that he had nothing wrong him Gallas and wanted him to stay because he was arguably the best in every position of the back 4.

Spare some thoughts for Jose!

All the options suggested, Scolari and Hiddink included, have draw backs.

I cannot believe that the club heirarchy would be insane enough to allow the best young manager in the world to leave the club as there is no better replacement. If the recruitment of Shevchenko proves anything its that the Manager should be given more control and the owner should keep his nose out.

Unfortunately the club has become a gravy train that is starting to look rather overloaded with hangers on, all of whom believe they should be traveling first class. The result is the political soup that feeds the press as the competing factions pursue their own agendas.

If RA does have an agenda it should be to sort out the club reporting structure; This on the Football side should leave Mourihno reporting to the GM, Kenyon, and everyone on the football side of the club, Arnesen included, reporting to Mourihno. And I think unless this solution is implemented, there is a real possibility that we will see the departure of the main reason for the clubs recent success.

At the end of the day, the attraction of watching football is that you turn up never quite sure what you are going to be watching. Some days it can be Brazil c. 1970, others it can be Arsenal C. 1990. What I want as a Chelsea fan is, above all else, a successful team. The team under Vialli and Gullit was very entertaining and successful in an inconsistent fashion. But ultimately we were not competing for the major prizes with any realistic chance of winning.

But its RAs team and he can turn it into whatever he wants and there is bugger all we can do about it. One thing that is becoming abundantly clear is that owning Chelsea has become a lot more to the owner than just a passing fancy for him. Those opposition fans that think he will get bored and sell up may have a very long wait ahead of them.

Hughes would be a good enough acquisition, I suppose.

Not knowing too much about the demise of Ranieri, at this moment in time, I'm preferring to just ignore everything here outside of that directly given by the club, and maintain my optimistic view that TSO isn't going anywhere for at least another season.

It is strange how all this gossip has suddenly emerged fully in the public consciousness since the New Year. It would be suicidal for the club to let Mourinho go, in my eyes. Kenyon and Abramovich are fully aware of that. Somewhere, an agreement must be made.

To Fifty

and said be so... amen!!!

This is pure academic discussing the replacement of Jose. Solidarity is what we need at this moment.

SimonT

Are you suggesting we shouldn't talk about it? The whole idea of the article was to generate some debate rather than adopt a viewpoint of blind faith in either the club or the press and broadcast media. The whole ethos of this blog is around intelligent debate and comment on our club, not to meekly follow a party line. Frankly I could find your comment about solidarity implicitly meaning that I am in some way "unfaithful" or a dissenter in the ranks. I will never change my allegiance, even if Sven Moron Eriksson was appointed, BUT I do pay £650 for my season ticket and support them at ever home game and the odd away game. Apart from this I reckon I spend around £750 per year in the shop on merchandise for me and my family, therefore I HAVE THE RIGHT to be a dissenter or to criticise, and frankly won't apologise for anything I write. Please read it again and then my comments and try to see that I am fiercely in favour of TSO and don't want him to leave BUT should the board do what they have done in the past, under whoever's tutelage, then I think it's worth raising the points as to who MIGHT be worthy of taking the managerial throne of our great club.

Hi, @ this rate we could end up losing J.T. GET IT SORTED FOR CHELSEA!

Tony, you may have written an interesting piece of article but I cannot see any basis for having such "intelligent" debate based on speculation at this moment, particularly when the anti-Chelsea press is still trying hard to create negative atmosphere to unsettle Chelsea. Let's just move on and talk about how to stand up for the Special One. This is called PASSION, not "blind faith".

wht abt ancelotti, not doin that gr8 with AC but is more than decent coach. not sure abt his language skills though.

SimonT

Sorry but you either didn't read the article or my comment. The idea of the article was to discuss possibilties based on what may or may not happen. yes, its specualtion but there are no rules to the blog that state we should only talk about this or that.

If the club really want rid of TSO do you think they'll give a single thought to the fans? What club ever does? As I said I'm all for TSO staying. And you seem to be confusing the word PASSIOn with blind faith.

Lighten up.

Whilst there is an awful lot of speculation going on which will give rise to some fairly baseless nonsense in the press, there is clearly something 'up' at the Bridge. And it would be strange if we didn't pick over the bones of it on here.

Going back to the topic of discussion, the one less than obvious manager I would like to see at the Bridge is Paul Le Guen.

He put a great Lyons side together from which Gerard Houllier has clearly profited, it's only a shame that he had such a poor short stint at Ibrox.

If JM leaves at the end of the season he'll never come, two clubs in less than a year will hardly do his reputation much good. But he's one I'd like to see the club consider a few years down the line.

I don't understand why pple would support JM instead of Abramovich. He's gonna sell Chelsea and give all these idiots more reasons to sing.

Good article, hard to disagree with any of it. I would like to add though, just to get a bigger perspective on it all, that the problems are all problems of growth. The essential fracture appears to be over the short term and the long term. In the short term we needed a high-impact manager who could bring success quickly. Money was spent on quality players but they needed organising into a unit. Jose achieved this and brought more success, more quickly than we had a right to expect. Back-to-back Premierships is an amazing achievement. But Jose's energies are best employed in running a tight first-team squad. That's why he reduced it in the summer. So, what of the longer term? We needed the youth academy and we needed to recruit the best young players from around the world to work on. Laying all this in, again, in short time, using available money that would see its return over time in 'produced' players rather than costly signings, meant hiring a second high-impact figure to oversee it. Roman likes to buy the best. It is the way business people work at that level. At first everything went well as long as results did. But the loss of key players, especially Terry, and the failure of Sheva to pick up the pace and added responsibilities required in English football, has seen the cracks in the overall system appear. Egos are clashing. And while I am one of Jose's greatest fans, I do not exempt him from responsibility for the state of affairs. He reduced the squad. He sulked and watched our defense become a shambles for three weeks before he worked out that Essien and Carvallho could play together higher up the field using their pace instead of dropping back and closing out attacks in the Terry-dominating way. Also, I think Jose has to accept that he has to find a way to work in the overall set-up. We need the development and we need the guys who are running it. He can take his reputation and go at any time. Clubs are queuing up to sign him. But we are here until we die.

Good point about Le Guen, RXM - definitely a promising coach whose stint in Scotland shouldn't be too much of a hindrance to his career overall. That said (Wenger aside), French managers haven't tended to settle too well in England and if he couldn't handle the politics up at Ibrox I wouldn't give him much chance of surviving the hotbed of intrigue that is Stamford Bridge at present! But one for the future though, definitely.

So nobody is worried that he will go?

Come on boys, i dont want anyone replacing jose, just seems as if there is something to all this press hype and its dragging our team down, end it now please. if we dont it could see us losing some of our best players.

Tony do you think your writing is coming out at the right time???

lets say just for suppose purposes...with all the tension going on a Chelsea fan comes out with an article to induce thoughts at this time...and say just for sayings sake that all the antichelsea lumpens out there decide to sling a few of their barbs...and say for just sayings sake that RA or one of his advisors falls on stupidity said...Not knowing how intense the pressure is...I wonder how clever your article would then be...
For sayings sake...

Let the waters calm first!

There is so much that can be said about what is going on at the moment that I have become exasperated with it all. I believe we will have to see what happens on the pitch with results over the next 6-8 weeks especially with the Champions league matches starting in February. In realtion to Jose, I think (and so do most of the anti-Chelsea media actually if you read their reports) that he is the best club manager in football today. The only one who has the bottle and balls to stand up to the big clubs in Europe including Man-U , Liverpool and Arsenal here and say we are the best, we will win today and tomorrow. That's why th efans love him and everyone outside Chelsea dont. It breaks up the cosy Man-U , Arsenal cartel in the Prem and abroad the same. If you think of the manager you have at the moment and say 'how much is my manager worth in comparison around the world?' how do we measure that? well, it is very simple...just look at the type of clubs who would want him. In this case, even Chelsea's biggest enemy, Barcelona would want Mourinho. What does that say about the manager we have? How can, Roman listen to the snake that is Frank Arnesen and his sidekick and even contemplate bringing in a nobody from Israel to be at Chelsea when we are trying to become a great and big club such as the giants already mentioned? This is exactly what John Terry et all are trying to say. Jose is the very best in the business at the moment, not Ferguson, Wenger, Rikkard or anyone elso. It is our manger! And lets not forget Chelsea fans, Mourihno does'nt need Roman's money, he proved that with Porto and I am sure if he goes will prove that gain! A club needs the best mangaer and some money grnated but the story of Real Madrid and Leeds has showed us it does not guarantee success at all. It would be the biggest mistake for Chelsea, at least for two seasons if Mourinho goes, that I have no dout. If fans out there think an Ericcson or Mancini or anyone else will bring us success because we have Romans' money, then you will be tearing your hair out come next December when we will surely be out of the title race already, Of that I am sure and so are teh bookies. So, it is not blind faith, it is reality! Oh, if I were to name someone that could just possibly keeep us in contention for trophey's next year if Jose goes than there is only one firebrand manger I would love at the club to stick two fingers up at the media...Scolari!!!!! I would prefer him before any other has-been or a nobody, thatss' for sure
Dio

I'm pleased Tony wrote the article - a good read and a decent debate. It has highlighted a number of interesting points and illustrated how polarised views on the matter are.

But there is one thing to remember - it matters not one bit what we say on here, what we talk about in the pub pre-match or what any number of badly informed hacks write about. Roman owns the club, Jose manages it - should either one decide that a change is needed, it will happen for better or worse irrespective of what we think.

That said, I always wondered whether the "You can stick your George Graham up your @rse" chant made Batesy think twice a few years ago... :-)

I think we all need to step back and have a good laugh at our club's continual ability to f*ck up a seemingly unf*ckable situable. It might be shock for some of the newbies, but this is why it is never boring being a Chelsea supporter...

JM's departure is beginning to look inevitable, let's hope he can snag a couple of trophies on the way out, and that the board that were bright enough to appoint him in the first place will find a successor with the talent to step into his elegant Gucci loafers. Tony's list doesn't exactly get the heart racing, but Hughesy might be fun for a while.

Great article.

The only reason i can see JM leaving is he hasn't and won't be allowed complete say in player acquisitions and who starts. If this is the case WTF are the board, PK and RM thinking? How do they expect this type of situation to work?

A piddlepoo supporter waved the sun rag at me last week at work wanting a bet that JM will be gone by next season. I just laughed, i tend to do the Nick B tactic of “La, la, la, la, la… this isn’t happening!” as i don't think it is or will.

With our Russian Mafioso links we should kidnap Deschamps if JM leaves.

P.S. Is there a website where supports can petition for JM to stay, if not i think it would be a good idea. Any ideas for a domain name?

welovejose.co.uk is available.

Chelsea Beef - The very first article I posted to this site was one written by a friend of mine that he had previously published on another blog. It focussed on the entirely reasonable but ultimately doomed Save Claudio Campaign (the SCC website no longer exists).

The parallels with the current Jose Mourinho situation are uncanny. I don't feel starting a campaign/website to "save" him will make the slightest difference. In the end we have to accept what the club decides and get on with it.

dannybrod summed it up best: We are here until we die. Mangers and club personnel are not. It's that simple.

It is surely a great piece of writing by Tony..
I really cannot imagine any fans of any club that they are not discussing about the present situation at the club. We have all the rights in the world to speaking our minds out everywhere, on the stadium, here at this site (and all over the net..). The recent media speculations aren't making good atmosphere in the squad, that's for sure. John Terry statment that they will fight for Jose if there will be such a need was a bit frightening for me. Though i am really happy that they are such a great group of people, ready to jump into the fire for another one, but what made JT even think that it can happen, and say it in media?
We all see what is happeing in that season at the Bridge, that Sheva, Ballack, Khalid, SWP even Maka are a long way to give thier best on the pitch. I know they're trying but sometimes it doesn't look like they had years of succeses in thei careers.. It is a bit of Jose fault but I don't even imagine that he won't be trying any longer to get the best out of them, he's the type of manager with full of faith in his players. I have my faith in him, every time they get out of tunel to play the game.
And even if Jose had anything to say in selling Gallas and Huth, so what? Gallas as he stated not only once, he wanted to search a new adventures (whatever that means for him..) even if he gave a great contribution to our second title.. He really didn't seem to stay at the Bridge for any longer which is a big shame, really. And Huth? Did he ever showed that he can be good for us? I could only see his wooden legs, few silly plays and mistakes, oh and i will always remember his miss in the penalties last year.. Let's get it straight, he wasn't even close to be a first team player in Chelsea..
I don't even imagine now Chelsea without Jose, he's the best now, whatever they say, he made the TEAM and hopefully he will do it for years at the bridge..
The discussion is also about the next One.. It's hard to choose from Tony's list cause really i don't see anybody that could even reah Jose's level, cause that's the point, isn't it? I do think that the closer for me it's Paul Le Guen, but he failed to get on with Rangers (poor team but still..). From the young and the prospective you shouldn't forget about ex-german national team coach Klinsmann. I know that he played for Tottenham, but there wouldn't be any language problem. I know as well that he was only the national team coach, but i think that he would be good in the club..
There is a point in having a discussion like that one, but our priority should be doing anything that we can to make Jose stay, if there is any true in those rumours of course..
KTBFFH!

Tony, I don't need to explain what my passion is. To be honest, I find your article just a piece of opportunistic journalism; the talk of replacement for José now is negative, self-destructive, distasteful, and very disrespectful to the man who has won us back2back titles and is still working hard to get us four trophies. I rest my case.

Tony,

I do not want to say what you should write and what you should not. It is free country write whatever you want. I just think it is a bad taste to start to think about the next manager, when J.M. is still here and i hope going to be here for the enxt season and season after. The other thing is that all this stuff is sort of gossips, so when Chelsea supporter writes something like this it is sort of bad taste. that's all.

SimonT

I give in, you just don't seem to understand my point that I AM BEHIND JM not against him, but go into any pub and say to a couple of fans that their conversation is

a.) unnecessary
b.) disloyal
c.) disrespectful
d.) distasteful

and you're likely to cop an unfortunate one. Life is pointless unless controversial subjects are discussed freely and openly. I suggest if you don't like it then don't read it but please don't question my motives.

Tony,

No one is challenging your opinion just wondering why you would list our options of a new Manager when he is still around.

We all do love JM and the only reason we love him is because of how he has managed to have every one respect, fear and yes loathe us...

If JM is on his way out, well at least let him receive his "matching orders" before we begin listing his successors...It all sounds like the children squabbling for a dying man's wealth.

A little respect!

And well at least if you were going to suggest some names... Some quality please...

Mark Hughes might have been a great player at Chelsea and ManU but not a coach at our current level...and this goes for all the unproven names on your list...

Shameful...really...

I see Ancelotti and Ramos are also being quoted now as prospects. Ignoring the fact that people think I'm in some way disloyal/disrespectful/distasteful (tough luck I won't shut up) you can't ignore this - one day TSO will leave, whether it's soon or in 10 years. My article won't sway the club or feed the press with anything more than they are already printing. The truth is a lot of the press corps, no matter how vile or underhand, DO have contacts and sources within the club. It's the way the press works in the UK and probably every other "free" country in the world, and not only with regard to football. Just look at the murky world of politics. Every day the press is slagging off Blair, Cameron, Bush et al - is that distasteful or disrespectful - or is it a sign of free speech and the right to exercise it and challenge those in power, no matter what there sphere of activity is?

Hence my continuing view that the truth about TSO and his future lies somewhere between the silence of the club and the hysteria of the press. Would anyone be surprised if this was Jose's way of deflecting attention from the team. Would anyone be surprised if PK and RA are playing this deliberately to keep the profile raised?

But why are we so determined in the UK to espouse the qualities and qualifications of European coaches in front of our own? Is Italian football or Spanish football that much better than ours? No of course not - one has to see the experience that Tubby Benitez has had thus far to see that Spanish Gold doesn't always survive the transition.

I WANT Jose to stay - that's the last poxy time I'll say it. However it is true that I wanted to play Devil's Advocate with the article and provoke something other than talk about injuries, suspensions, tactics etc. It seems to have worked! KTBFFH!

The lack of decent English managers is a worry; the limited number of top jobs available coupled with how little chance managers are given (Luca Vialli's book is worth a read on this subject) means that we are falling behind badly in bringing good homegrown managers through.

Really can't see how discussing this is disrespectful in any way; if Jose stays, all well and good and if he doesn't, a replacement will be found. Was it disrespectful to discuss possible replacements for Cech when it looked like he might be out for the season? Of course not - football moves on, very quickly sometimes so it's only natural that the possibilities should be discussed.

My exact point JD - it seems beyond some people that people can debate things without it being disrespectful.

Jose - A little respect? How do the words "I don't want Jose to leave" show disrespect. Sorry mate but again, the philospohical tenet of free speech means discussing awkward and challenging subjects in a logical, calm manner. Why? because we can mate, because we can.

Oh and Jose, is Mark Hughes record any worse than the others? Rijkaard only managed Holland before Barca put faith in him - its about spotting potential mate, not just tapping into a successful history. Most successful business organizations operate that way these days.

Mark Hughes and some of the other names have got this potential and perhaps in the UK we should start thinking about putting trust in them. How could any "superstar" player not respect Hughes, O'Neill or Pearce with their playing records?

With JM we got both - potential and a track record - a real rarity wherever you look within football.

Well done Tony on an interesting article - probably the first good debate we've had on this site for months! I cannot see the harm in discussing these issues, although I would add that I also hope the special one decides to stay.!

There is an argument that JM's style of management relies on fantastic motivational and organizational skills which have a huge impact for a while, but then fade as time goes by and drills get repetitive. I don't really hold to that view and would like to see him stay for a number of years to build a real dynasty to surpass Ferguson's or Wenger's. But he has not yet stayed in one job for more than 2-3 years so we are yet to see if he is capable.

Of your potential candidates I like Hughes and Coleman (I wanted Hughes to be England manager instead of McLaren at the time). However, should JM leave, I think Wenger should be the first (and perhaps unobtainable) choice. Otherwise, just give Zola the job and a 25 year contract. Legend.

I've convinced myself that Mourinho will leave at the end of the season, either of his own accord or after being pushed.

On this week's Guardian Football Weekly podcast Kevin McCarra, one of the better football journalists, said of the current "civil war" at the Bridge, "I know some bloggers think the press is exaggerating ... but, believe me, for once sadly the press is telling the truth".

Combined with Lordmorf's observation that Mourinho tends not to stay at one club for more than 2-3 years, and you're left with one outcome - his departure.

"If you have no power, talk about your influence. If you have power, talk about the constraints that hem you in." - Mason Cooley

No disrespect to Hughes et al but Hughes does not cut the grade just yet for me...

TSO has evolved something at Chelsea not seen before in the league...The way he mixes up things on the pitch is awesome...Hughes is unimproving coach but unless we want Chelsea to play second fiddle to Arsenal and ManU I do not see how Hughes is going to be helping our cause in the near future...

We are no longer a developing team, we are competing to enter the higher ierachy of football and am sorry to let you know that the soup you are serving is under cooked. Only the best will do for now...

Times have changed where a Manager had time to develop a squad..ask Ranieri and to be honest with you we are currently competing in a very competitive league...

I have watched some of the Managers you are mentioning and please...Blackburn-Arsenal... Hughes still has alot to learn and he sure should not do this at the Bridge...God Please No!

Coleman people please... You have to prove yourself to earn it...These names just do not cut it with the current Chelsea...Maybe before when we could not afford but not in this day and age...Let Fulham and Blackburn retain their coaches and let has retain our TSO...

Deschamps is the only one who comes close...oh by the way Juventus just went top of Serie B...so I think some one knows what they are doing...

Oh and football records mean toss in the coaching world...ask TSO...

We have had so many English great Managers not debatable, but not all good players will make great football managers. TSO has zero professional football playing career but there is no one like him

All comments are OK but is there any way that JM is leaving if we win CL or a double?I don't think so.We have to wait until the end of the season and then talk about a replacement

Toni, let me put it this way.

Imagine that you have a girlfriend for, let's say, two and a half years. Imagine that for 2 years everything is amazingly good, none of you could be happier.

Then, things start to slow down a bit. There's actually nothing that you could pinpoint as "bad", but the feeling is just not the same as before.

Then, finally, you have your first discussion. Not a big one, just a normal discussion, but something that you were not used to in duration of your relationship.

Next thing you know, you find somewhere a list of potential boyfriends that she would be considering to choose from, just in case your relationship does end.

What would you feel then?

To jorge coelho,

Finally somebody has found the words to explain to him what does it mean bad taste.
Yes it is kosher to have this discussion, but it is stinky.

Mikel and Jorge

You sound like religous zealots to be honest. There's plenty more where this came from, believe me. I'll wager neither of you have supported the club for 35 years like me.

Oh and Jorge, 2 totally different things mate. Not even in the same ball park. But if you must know, with some of my ex-girlfriends it would have been a bloody relief. Which pisses on your fireworks a bit doesn't it.

Nick,

is it really so bad? Jose said once that his intention is to stay at the Bridge at least to 2010.. Maybe the press is closer to the truth that we could ever imagine but is it the point? Just like Yohar i cannot imagine Jose leaving us Fans, Club, Players after winning Champions League or/and PremierLeague.. I know that he's capable of that but i think that once he sat on Chelsea's bench to take over the Blues, TSO fall in love, and it won't be so easy to let it out, will it? As John Terry said, they will fight for Jose to make him stay. I say, don't do that in chairmans room or through the press but do it on the field, fight to the last, win or try to win everything you can that's what is the best thing they can do to make JM stay!
KTBFFH!

Maybe Juande Ramos is a good option. All press and radio channels in Spain said that Chelsea wants him. They said that Peter Kenyon and Juande had a conversation in Monaco. It's a good coach and his teams play very nice because usually he plays to the attack.
I hve a post in my blog about Chelsea FC:
LINK (in Spanish)
Regards from Spain,

It's just a conversation, no Chelsea fan wants nor thinks about JM leaving. Tony has I nice dabet going on here about what Chelsea have and what they "could" have at the managering spot.
After this post it's clearer then ever, nobody exepct "the Special One" is welcomed by the Chelsea supporters.
I maybe am a young chap :) but I learned what soccer is watching Chelsea even way down here in Macedonia.
Nice post Tony.
(srry for my rusted english)

Anyone forgotten van Basten and Le Guen(know he had abit of nightmare at Rangers)? Both are top potentially good young managers who mix good attacking football with a strong defensive core. Thoughts?

Now that we have been supporting Chelsea for that long, and we all have Chelsea at heart...The Chelsea official site has just released something that may inteest us all...

For sure JM is staying at least for another year...

Jorge
That analogy you've used borders on the ridiculous.
Nobody is showing disrespect to JM about discussing worst case scenarios. Like Tony I've supported this club for a long time 40 plus years, and believe me it's part and parcel of following Chelsea.

Read what Tony has said again, and what he's said in subsequent replies. He doesn't want JM to leave, just like the vast majority of fans (except Henry) on this blog.

If he walks, or if he's pushed, it'll be a sad day, and quite frankly could set us back a few years in terms of winning competitions. I personally believe this man is the best manager we've ever had, and ever likely to get for a long long time.

Hello People, Well whatever happens losing JM will hurt us big time!

Has anybody read this artilce by the Mank Tw*ts?

LINK

Piss taking C U Next Tuesdays

Boys we have to stay strong for our boys, and for JM

Long live the dream!

I think that is the decent answer from Sheva.

Sheva's answer

To Tony,
Only 10 years, not 35.

Not much of a site that - not particularly perceptive or amusing. And I wish people would do some research before rushing in to print, especially as bloggers are usually the first to condemn the papers for making an error. I'm referring, of course, to this sentence here.

'Based on their historical fan-base, the club would sit in the lower reaches of the Premiership'

As we all know, based on our historical fanbase, Chelsea should actually be a lot more successful than they have hitherto been. But them's the breaks.

The United Rant also points out our huge debt we had before RA took over. That's so sweet coming from a club which is now more than half a billion in debt. We all know what will happen if Mr Glazer runs into money troubles, which one of his teams will be hung to dry, it won't be the NFL lot!

Interesting how the vast United debt tends to get forgotten these days.

Tony,

Great piece although after reading some of the comments I had to reread it just to make sure! I've supported Chelsea for 27 years and think that debating the present, future and what-if scenarios for the club are an integral part of my love for all things Blue.
Any fan (of any sport or team) not interested in discussing such issues or calling them in poor taste must be a fair weather fan at best.

We all love JM and Tony's merely showing a healthy interest in what makes our club tick - he's hardly advocating puppy drowning.
Now that's in bad taste.

As for jorge's ludicrous girlfriend analogy......well, the less said the better....you need to get out more or at least find a girlfriend who doesn't make lists....

Even if JM does stay for now and we win the league for the 3rd time in a row and the CL, does anyone think he would want to stay beyond that? He has always said he relishes the new challenges...

Coleman's a good bet....tactics and strategies but never had firepower to pull them off...

My fear is no longer that JM will depart, which I think is inevitable - and if he doesn't in the summer, I can't see the working relationship lasting another whole season - but which players he'll take with him.

Still, as a wise friend said to me on the day Roman bought in, 'Just enjoy it while it lasts, because this is Chelsea.'

Fergie (who has been doing some sterling pro-Jose work, better than our own club officials actually) often points out that United always doing things the hard way; well, if he thinks they have a tendency to make things difficult for themselves, he wouldn't survive five minutes at the Bridge.

Dear God

What have we done to deserve this?

LINK

Altogether now

"You can stick Sven Goran up your arse!"

Has there been a managerial vacancy (or even hint of one) that he hasn't been linked to in the past year? Pinch of salt, mate.

Tony,

Saw that link this morning, what makes me laugh is that he's "monitoring the situations at Barcelona and Real Madrid". The media are making out he can just pick which job he wants and it's his, regardless of any sort of past success or managerial ability (neither of which were ever apparent whilst at the helm of our national side).

Dear God, dont let him anywhere near the Bridge. Particularly if he grooms whoever is his deputy as a successor. I'm not going to start on the McLaren debacle.......

Fifty - agreed - I think the England debacle has left him as a busted flush - and Peter, I agree it just seems his agent (Zahavi) is very good at keeping him in the limelight. It reminds me of O'Neill (who I do think would ge good at Chelsea!) who seemed linked with every vacancy in football whilst he was away.

Like you guys - his appointment would leave me cold, flat, miserable and cynical.

Lets have Alan Shearer as Manager, he can also register as a player...

Afternoon,

I just read an paragraph from today's Guardian which made me collapse with laughter in the middle of the office :

LINK

If it's unavailable to some, here's a priceless quote : " McClaren gave the MPs a 30-minute talk on Tuesday night, complete with a PowerPoint presentation explaining his role, the situation he inherited from Sven-Goran Eriksson and what he hopes to achieve"

Explaining his role : "Hi, my name's Steve. You may remember me as the other one from the comedy double act who got lots of time abroad every other year and did bugger all with it."

What he hopes to achieve ?? I bet there was bated breath as they waited for the answer to that conundrum.

Well, reading through the lines, it may be that JM has finally confirmed he will stay on. LINK

He has said he will be happy to see out his contract if he has the support and respect of the board. Kenyon has confirmed he has the backing of the board. So I guess all we need is for the board to actually respect Jose!

LINK

so here is the response of our chief, P Kenyon.. Are you satisfied with it?

The recent news gives us sufficient reason to kill this subject now. Hopefully all the BS that's been said about the club in the past few weeks will finish just in time for us to knock a few past Liverpool at the weekend.

I wouldn't get your hopes up re: the BS in the press ending any time soon, Chris. :-)

To Tony,

Your speculations were premature, read todays press. TSO stays till the end of his contract. I think we should concentrate on the Looserpool game. Lawro suggests we are going to lose. lawro's prediction

I dont know, will be close, i wished we would have signed a stop gap player even though its not good to do it! right now we need a strong centre back next to ricardo, not that essien isnt but with essien in midfield, we have an absolute beast! i we cant afford to put ferrera centre back. Liverpool will kill him, my lineup would be

Cech ...HURRAY

geremi carvalho essien cole

Makelele Lamps Ballack

Wright P Drogs Robben

Makelele is banned for this game unfortunately Richard - does leave a worrying hole somewhere; as good as Essien is he can't play CB and midfield too!

I am almost sure as the sign of peace Sheva is going to play against Looserpool

Cech

geremi carvalho essien cole

Makelele Lamps Ballack

Drogs Sheva Robben

Nah, JT will play if he is capable of walking. Cech may not start:

Cudicini

Ferreira Carvalho Terry Bridge

Robben Essien Ballack Lamps

Drogs Sheva