Villas Boas (EX) Chelsea manager

[Tee]

Yes, thanks for that advice Avram

[Chazza]

XCLUSIVE: Benitez in frame to replace AVB if Chelsea's stock continues to plummet

By Ian Ladyman
Last updated at 1:31 AM on 21st February 2012

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is high on Chelsea’s list of candidates to replace Andre Villas-Boas until the end of the season if Roman Abramovich loses
patience with his coach.

Villas-Boas will find himself in a precarious position if things go badly at Napoli in the Champions League.

With his team fifth in the Barclays Premier League and facing a tricky FA Cup replay at Birmingham, Villas-Boas’s debut season at Chelsea continues to go from bad to worse.


In the frame: Rafa Benitez could replace Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea

Abramovich has also
considered Fabio Capello but was told that the former England manager would not be interested in a short-term position.

Benitez is believed to be open-minded and would be immediately available, having not worked since leaving Inter Milan at the end of 2010.

The Spaniard, 51, has a good track record at big clubs and a good history
in the Champions League, the trophy Abramovich covets above all others.

Benitez is also thought to be capable of inspiring £50million misfit striker
Fernando Torres, having brought the best out of his fellow Spaniard at Liverpool.

Villas-Boas remains confident that his job is safe, claiming Chelsea have changed their policy which has seen seven different managers in less than nine years under Abramovich.


Up against it: Villas-Boas has struggled in his debut season in the Premier League

Villas-Boas said: ‘Speculation is normal given the cultural past of this club but there’s a different perspective now. There’s a clear indication that there’s a change in the way we approach the projects for the future.

‘We have great belief in what we will do next year. That doesn’t take away any responsibility for what’s happening now. We can do well in the Champions League and the FA Cup. But we had a three-year project to change not only the team, but the culture and structure of the club.’

With Chelsea’s chief executive Ron Gourlay and chairman Bruce Buck in the room, Villas-Boas added: ‘These words would be more valuable coming from the top. I cannot keep saying them, but as the voice of the club, I will continue to perpetuate this message because this is what we believe in.’


Big night: Chelsea face a tough game at Napoli in the Champions League

Chelsea have also been encouraged to think about Valencia’s Unai Emery and Marcelo Bielsa of Athletic Bilbao.

John Terry and Ashley Cole, on their way back from injuries, travelled to Naples and trained in the San Paolo Stadium last night. Terry seemed confident of being fit but Villas-Boas said: ‘John is a major doubt but Ashley has more chance.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...s-Chelsea.html

[Craig_H]

Daily Fail....meh

[Shaggy]

I very much want him to get a big job but it would hurt seeing him at Chelsea. If there's any truth in this report I could understand why Roman would covet Rafa.

[Lee]

It'd be bad news for us if he were to get the job.

I can see why he'd go there and why Abramovich would want him. But, urgh, the thought of it makes me feel sick.

[Fredo]

Please say no Rafa.

[Craig_H]

I very much want him to get a big job but it would hurt seeing him at Chelsea. If there's any truth in this report I could understand why Roman would covet Rafa.

CL know-how and ability to 'mend' Torres, primarily.

[RichC]

Be gutted to see that happen, he'd get no support from the fans to start off with at least but more to the point he'd turn them into a ****ing nightmare of a side to bear be it in the PL or Europe.

[destinydude]

Take the job and get under Fergie's nerves. This time Kenny and co will gang up and support you against Fergie

[Chris]

As long as them or Arsenal dont get Mourinho or sexy Pep it's all good.

[Exiled_red]

It'd be bad news for us if he were to get the job.

I can see why he'd go there and why Abramovich would want him. But, urgh, the thought of it makes me feel sick.

[McDermotX]

It'd be bad news for us if he were to get the job.

I can see why he'd go there and why Abramovich would want him. But, urgh, the thought of it makes me feel sick.

Very bad news for anyone hanging onto the coat-tails if he was there.

I guess Rafa can't wait forever for the job he would love to have again, and it wouldn't cost any of the respect I have for the man.....................but I'd still feel sick everytime I saw him (and even more so, if he was successful there).

[Phoenix07]

One Chelsea forum response to Rafa being linked:

http://www.theshedend.com/topic/19136-avb-whos-behind-him-merged/page__st__1960

I can see him holding out for the Real Madrid job to be honest if Mourinho leaves.

Mourinho would then come back to Chelsea and build a dynasty (should do that at Real Madrid with those players).

[Fivex]

What did the other Chelsea fan say?

[Craig_H]

This Rafa story is plainly bollocks. The day of their game against Napoli and this conveniently comes out The press have made it their quest to get at AVB in any way they can and this is just the latest attack.