SPECULATION continued to mount as to who would become the next manager of Chelsea last night after the Blues took the surprising step of sacking assistant coach Hen ten Cate.
Two days ago, the former Ajax chief insisted his position was unaffected by the dismissal of manager Avram Grant last weekend and committed himself to the club until at least 2010.
But the Blues announced yesterday that the Dutchman was to follow Grant out of the exit door at Stamford Bridge after just eight months in the job.
Ten Cate’s departure has now sent the rumour mill into overdrive — it was suggested he was the pawn to bring Frank Rijkaard to Stamford Bridge, as the pair had worked together at Barcelona. This now seems unlikely.
The tale took a further twist last night when it was confirmed that Roberto Mancini, another of Chelsea’s reported targets, had been sacked as manager as Inter Milan — as had been widely expected. Former boss Jose Mourinho is tipped to replace him at the helm of the Serie A champions.
As a result, Mancini is now the red-hot favourite to take over the top job, while one-time favourite Rijkaard has drifted out.
A club statement read: “Chelsea FC can confirm that it terminated Henk ten Cate’s contract today. This follows a meeting this morning. “As a result of the team management changes at Chelsea FC, and in the light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this was the correct decision for all parties.”
Mancini is one of several names strongly linked to the managerial vacancy with Mark Hughes, Luis Felipe Scolari and now AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti among them.
Two days ago, the former Ajax chief insisted his position was unaffected by the dismissal of manager Avram Grant last weekend and committed himself to the club until at least 2010.
But the Blues announced yesterday that the Dutchman was to follow Grant out of the exit door at Stamford Bridge after just eight months in the job.
Ten Cate’s departure has now sent the rumour mill into overdrive — it was suggested he was the pawn to bring Frank Rijkaard to Stamford Bridge, as the pair had worked together at Barcelona. This now seems unlikely.
The tale took a further twist last night when it was confirmed that Roberto Mancini, another of Chelsea’s reported targets, had been sacked as manager as Inter Milan — as had been widely expected. Former boss Jose Mourinho is tipped to replace him at the helm of the Serie A champions.
As a result, Mancini is now the red-hot favourite to take over the top job, while one-time favourite Rijkaard has drifted out.
A club statement read: “Chelsea FC can confirm that it terminated Henk ten Cate’s contract today. This follows a meeting this morning. “As a result of the team management changes at Chelsea FC, and in the light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this was the correct decision for all parties.”
Mancini is one of several names strongly linked to the managerial vacancy with Mark Hughes, Luis Felipe Scolari and now AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti among them.
I've now got a funny feeling that Jose might be on his way back, encouraged by the fact that Steve Clarke, Jose's number two, is still in his position and the reports that Roman bought him a £2 million Ferrari back in March, which could be seen as a sweetener and a 'let's make up and be friendly' move. Myself, and most of the club's fanbase I believe, would love this to happen, but unfortuneately, I'll probably be proved wrong.
Failing that, I think we should go for Big Phil or Sparky. I don't think Mancini is the man for the job and, please God, not Sven.
What do you think?
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