Source: Daily_Mail
Ruthless Roman had to stop the rot: Chelsea owner shows he's still the boss
Chelsea fans were promised owner Roman Abramovich was going to make a big statement in February that would prove he is still committed to the club - by sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari he has done just that.[LNB] The real declaration from Abramovich is still to come when the financial results are released later this month, but in getting rid of Scolari he has already delivered the message many supporters wanted to hear. While the timing surprised many, the decision did not and he gave the 60-year-old his marching orders in person rather than relying on one of his trusted aides to do the dirty work.[LNB] Facing up to failure: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich gave manager Luiz Felipe Scolari his marching orders in person at the club's training ground in Cobham[LNB] Guus Hiddink set to be named temporary Chelsea manager after Blues are granted permission to talk to Dutchman[LNB]Chelsea players want Zola and Clarke back at the Bridge as Blues prepare to name new boss in next 24 hours[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB]At 3pm yesterday, he arrived at the club's training ground at Cobham with chairman Bruce Buck and Eugene Tenenbaum to tell the Brazilian enough was enough. Chief executive Peter Kenyon was also kept well informed despite being away on holiday.[LNB]The Brazilian handled his dismissal with dignity, shaking hands and apologising for his failure, his mood possibly soothed by an agreement that he would have the remainder of his two-year contract paid up, to the value of around £7.5million.[LNB]The ruthless axing of Scolari was an act that let everyone know Abramovich is still in charge and determined to stop the rot at Stamford Bridge. The abject display in the goalless draw against Hull on Saturday was the final straw with concern growing that unless a change was made, the club might risk failing to qualify for the Champions League next season, let alone missing out on any silverware this term.[LNB]There was a suspicion that the former Portugal and Brazil coach had already found the pressure of managing Chelsea too much and was hoping to be paid off, although the timing of his sacking may have come earlier than he expected.His departure apparently came as a shock to the players, but, again, only because it was done now rather than at the end of the season.[LNB]Striker Didier Drogba said the players had not been told anything by the club and Brazilian defender Alex said: 'His departure was unexpected news for us. He had looked under pressure recently. When he first came he was happy. But he seemed different of late.' [LNB]However, according to club insiders, Scolari had lost the dressing room and the team's recent performances provided plenty of evidence that all was not well. His repetitive and low-key training methods had caused great concern as well as his inability to change tactics once the early promise had fizzled out and rivals got wise to the Brazilian's Plan A.[LNB] Sacked: Luiz Felipe Scolari[LNB] [LNB]There was, it seems, no Plan B. Many players wanted the team to switch to a 4-4-2 formation, especially after results started hitting a downturn in October, yet he defiantly stuck to 4-3-3.[LNB]But, according to Scolari's spokesman Acaz Fellegger, the only person who wanted a new manager was Abramovich, though he does need to limit the damage to his client's reputation.[LNB]Fellegger said: 'It seems that Abramovich made the decision despite Felipe having the support of the squad and Peter Kenyon. The Chelsea squad are old and Felipe tried to rejuvenate it. He asked the board to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only brought Deco.'[LNB]Considering Deco, 31, is older than most of the players and has flopped massively since joining from Barcelona for £7.9m last summer, his attempts at rejuvenating the club hardly inspired confidence.[LNB]While missing out on the signing of Robinho to Manchester City was a blow, it can't be used as an excuse for being knocked out of the Carling Cup by Burnley and dropping 16 points at Stamford Bridge in the League.[LNB]He still had the same key players that came within the width of a post of winning the Champions League last season and had gone unbeaten at home for over four years. While winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 looked good on his CV, his appointment last summer has backfired badly.[LNB] The fact he had been out of club management for seven years and had no experience of being in charge of a European club proved too big an obstacle to overcome. He seemed to struggle with the intense scrutiny from the media and the tough challenge that Premier League opposition posed.[LNB]The arrival of Ray Wilkins to replace Steve Clarke, who left for West Ham, as assistant first-team coach encouraged him to duck more responsibility.[LNB] He refused to play with Drogba and Nicolas Anelka up front at first because he claimed they couldn't play together and then because his squad wasn't good enough. But what shocked most of his critics was the absence of fight and determination in recent months.[LNB]The meek surrender in the 3-0 defeat at Manchester United as well as 2-0 loss at Liverpool displayed characteristics alien to what former manager Jose Mourinho had instilled during his successful reign.[LNB]The players had clearly lost some belief in themselves but more importantly the man in charge. The flowing football which had promised so much in the first two months was replaced with a style more associated with teams battling relegation.[LNB]He did nothing to put things right so Abramovich responded with ruthless efficiency. There can be no more damning indictment of Scolari's time in charge than to say he arrived with a reputation that dwarfed that of his much-criticised predecessor Avram Grant, but leaves just seven months later with his image in tatters.[LNB] Guus Hiddink set to be named temporary Chelsea manager after Blues are granted permission to talk to Dutchman[LNB]Chelsea players want Zola and Clarke back at the Bridge as Blues prepare to name new boss in next 24 hours[LNB]CHELSEA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
