Who can lead Chelsea to success and re-establish an identity for the club?

Who can lead Chelsea to success and re-establish an identity for the club?

Who can lead Chelsea to success and re-establish an identity for the club?

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It’s a question that has no easy answer. The intangibles and the ever-rising feeling of ambiguity plague the fans. But the thing that makes Andre Villas Boas’ sacking most sobering is the fact that Chelsea still look completely lost. They are lost not only in the sense that they cannot find a rhythm on the pitch. The club’s identity hangs in limbo, as the winning mentality that has been so prominent in recent years is fleeting rapidly. And a workaholic, a man obsessed with making Chelsea a power once again was merely tossed aside on to the street, albeit with nine million pounds in compensation, which is not too bad if you ask me. Now those partaking in football betting have the difficult task on their hands of determining what exactly happens next. Media outlets are picking names out of a hat and screaming them at the top of their lungs. It’s chaos, but whoever ends up as Chelsea’s permanent choice better be able to manage egos and an ever-aging squad.

The reports in regards to AVB’s commitment to the club are unbelievable. Working 12 hours a day. Spending nights beside the training ground rather than sleeping with his family. When it’s all said and done, Andre Villas Boas dedicated his heart and soul to Chelsea, only to last about 250 days in charge of Roman Abramovich’s army. But the Russian may need a drink at this point. Sure, the man who wasn’t getting results on the pitch is gone, but nothing has gotten remotely easier. Will Rafa Benitez really be a consolation? Ask any knowledgeable non-Liverpool fan whether they would rather have Andre Villas Boas or Rafa Benitez as their manager, and I’m sure the results would be slanted Andre Villas Boas’ way. Benitez is not a big enough name, nor is he a manager that the fans are really looking forward to bringing silverware to Stamford Bridge. 

Fans of the Blues want someone special. But the worst part about this whole sacking is that it came at the absolute worst time imaginable. Roman’s affinity for Guus Hiddink is no secret, and if he could only have made this decision a couple of months earlier, then the Dutch master tactician may very have returned to London instead of taking a lucrative trip to Russia to manage Anzhi for 18 months. Not only are Chelsea trying to stay in the FA Cup against Birmingham, but they have a tremendously difficult mountain to overcome in the UEFA Champions League against Edinson Cavani, Lavezzi, and the rest of the brute strength that is Napoli’s squad.

Even beyond those two competitions is the battle for the fourth Champions League spot in the Premier League. Arsenal look to be picking up momentum at the moment, so Chelsea need to somehow pull themselves together amongst this ever-evolving mess. Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho are not coming to Stamford Bridge any time soon. They have no reason to leave unless Roman is willing to put 200 million on the table. Even then, money doesn’t mean everything to two of the world’s best manager. Both La Liga men have respective projects that are waiting to reach their potential. Ending a civil war in the dressing room instead of coaching Cristiano Ronaldo or Xavi doesn’t sound too appealing, so who else can legitimately bring success Chelsea’s way?

Quickly written by Eric Beard. Comments below please.