Way back in February when an angry Rafa Benitez confirmed he was leaving Chelsea and condemned his then-current employers for slapping an “interm” quantifier on his job description, it started the first few chugs of the gears.
Those gears are now driving one of the most extensive managerial merry-go-rounds at the highest level of European club soccer, and that ripple effect is centered around the London giants.
In a day when managers are under constant fire and contracts mean next to nothing, the search for the ideal fit is ever present.
With Benitez’s ridiculing and ultimate departure, marking the 10th manager Roman Abramovich has seen leave his club since 2003, the wealthy Russian decided he wanted an old friend back.
Somehow, the impulsive Blues owner convinced Jose Mourinho that this time around would be different than the last, and it was written in destiny that The Happy Special One would return to the place it all broke down in September of 2007.
Mourinho’s call from Stamford Bridge was perfect timing for him, as his employers Real Madrid were just about to tell him he had overstayed his welcome with three straight Champions League semifinal disappointments.
Now it’s Los Blancos without a leader, although Carlo Ancelotti, somewhat unjustly fired by Abramovich in 2012, seems to be the frontrunner for the job. The Frenchman desires the Madrid job greatly, having led Paris Saint-Germain to their first Ligue 1 title 19 years. Ancelotti would be a great hire for Madrid, having proven himself at the highest level multiple times, including at Chelsea despite Abramovich’s failure to see it.
It appears PSG are looking to secure a replacement for Ancelotti before releasing him to pursue a job in Spain, and the frontrunner looks to be Guus Hiddink of Anzhi Makhachkala.
Hiddink, caretaker manager in 2009 after Abramovich sacked Luis Felipe Scolari, has also made the rounds at the highest level. The 66-year-old Dutchman has made a name for himself not just at the club level, but also at the international level with Australia, Russia, and Turkey.
As top clubs across Europe swap managers, Rafa Benitez has already settled in nicely at Napoli. He largely quieted his haters at Chelsea with success down the stretch of the season, maybe even an odd but poignant parting shot at those who wished him to leave.
It’s not just the top teams that are suddenly searching for new managers. This is the way of the sport these days. England last year saw 63 teams up and down its four professional leagues make a managerial change last season at some point. Sixty-three!!! 43 of those were sacked and 20 resigned from their positions. Thus is the culture of the job in today’s game.
At the top though, as Roman Abramovich has developed a reputation for an itchy trigger finger, he’s unintentionally provided a crop of top managers to the rest of Europe’s elite. Not only that, but he’s caused a chain reaction for this summer transfer window that’s seen movement across the board, and it certainly hasn’t ended just yet.
It seems to be working out quite well for many of the names that leave Stamford Bridge. Despite that, Jose Mourinho will obviously be hoping he doesn’t become another name on the Abramovich axe list...again.
