Source: Daily_Mail
Out of the Blue: Players stunned as Chelsea axe Ray Wilkins
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti gave his blessing to the shock decision to dispensewith the services of his assistant and 'friend' Ray Wilkins on Thursday. [LNB]Ancelotti had previously described former Chelsea, Manchester United, AC Milan and England star Wilkins as vital in helping the Italian lead the club to an historic League and FA Cup Double last season.[LNB]They had been sitting in the stands yesterday afternoon watching a reserve game between Chelsea and Bayern Munich at the club's Surrey training base. [LNB]At half-time, around 2pm, Wilkins attended a prearranged meeting with Chelsea chiefexecutive Ron Gourlay in which he was told his contract would not be renewed. [LNB]Wilkins did not rejoin Ancelotti to watch the second half. [LNB][LNB] Team Carlo: Chelsea boss Ancelotti and his now-departed assistant Wilkins (right)[LNB]Suggestions that Ancelotti only became aware of Wilkins's departureafter he had received the bad news were dismissed. In fact, the managerhad been part of the consultation process by the club's board thatconcluded Wilkins's role had become redundant.[LNB]The Chelsea board took the decision that, having helped Luiz FelipeScolari, Guus Hiddink and Ancelotti integrate themselves into Englishfootball, Wilkins's expertise in that regard was no longer required. [LNB]But senior members of the Chelsea dressing room are understood to bestunned by the decision to part with such a popular character. [LNB]Despite reports, no fall-out with any player, coach or member of the board is behind the decision.[LNB]Even so, the timing of Wilkins's departure is bizarre, with Chelsea flying high domestically and in Europe. [LNB]The club have yet to decide whether to replace him from outside the names of ex-Chelsea players Gianfranco Zola, Gus Poyet and SteveClarke, the man Wilkinsreplaced, are being circulated or promote from within, with Paul Clement a potential candidate. [LNB] Parting of the ways: Ancelotti praised Wilkins, but then he was gone[LNB][LNB]The fact that Ancelotti was consulted and subsequently approved thedecision to show Wilkins the door will doubtless come as a body blow tothe 54-year-old. [LNB]It is even more remarkable given the glowing assessment Ancelotti gave of Wilkins's value to Chelsea in his autobiography. [LNB]'One of the reasons I fit into the locker room was thanks to thefundamental role played by Ray Wilkins, my No 2 and my friend,' wrotethe Italian.[LNB]'It's one thing to translate words but translating feelings is the gift of only a select few.[LNB]'Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, areal blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. His heart beats in twolanguages and that helped me.Without him, we couldn't have won a thing and, in particular, we wouldn't have started the year at supersonic speed.' [LNB]Chelsea's website wasted little time in putting up the news that Wilkins's contract had not been renewed.[LNB] Less than an hour had passed between the Stamford Bridge legendbeing told his services were no longer required before the world atlarge got to hear about it in a short statement hardly befitting a manwho had enjoyed a 37-year association with the club.[LNB]It read: 'Chelsea Football Club chief executive Ron Gourlay hasannounced today that the board has decided not to renew Ray Wilkins'scontract. This will take effect immediately.'[LNB]Gourlay said: 'On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Ray for everything he has done for Chelsea Football Club.' [LNB] Ray Wilkins axed as Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti's right-hand man Kalou asks FA to go easy on Essien as Chelsea midfielder faces three-match banAncelotti hopes Lampard will return as Essien awaits red-card appeal verdictCHELSEA FC
