http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 owner Roman Abramovich’s list to replace Carlo Ancelotti
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly on the look-out for a replacement for current Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti, after the Italian manager failed to lead the London side to silverware this season. With six Premier League games remaining and Chelsea
at third place on the table, Abramovich seems to have had enough and is looking for an alternative.
Recent reports suggest that Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is the latest manager on Abramovich’s list of possible replacements for Ancelotti. The Catalan side coach has previously hinted on leaving Barcelona in the near future, having coached the La Liga
giants since 2008. Well into his third season with them, he thinks it’s time for a fresh challenge.
Guardiola said while speaking to reporters, “I think my time is ending here in Barcelona. I’m fine here, but when you’re at a club like this you cannot stay for too long. Next year will be the fourth consecutive season as coach of Barcelona. Such a club
must have a lot of courage to take a coach for so long, because the players get tired of coaches and vice-versa.”
The former Barcelona defensive midfielder took charge of the club in 2008 and made dramatic changes in his first season, offloading the likes of Samuel Eto’o, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gianluca-Zambrotta-c14831. It seemed to pay off as Guardiola led Barcelona to the
La Liga title, Copa del Rey, UEFA Champions League, European Super Cup, Spanish Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
The Spaniard is in no way a one-hit wonder, managing to retain the La Liga crown and the Spanish Super Cup in his second season with the club. He seems to be on his way to a third consecutive La Liga title, currently at the top of the table, eight points
clear of second place of Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid. His side is also in contention for the Copa del Rey and the coveted Champions League.
It comes as no surprise that the Chelsea owner has his eyes on the 40-year-old Barcelona coach, who has proved himself domestically and in Europe. Abramovich is determined to win the Champions League, the one trophy the Blues have never won and will be looking
to bring in someone who he thinks if capable of bringing the European Cup to Stamford Bridge.
While Guardiola may be the most qualified manager to replace Ancelotti, he is not the only one Abramovich has his eyes on. Former Chelsea and current Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge after the Portuguese manager
confessed his undying love for the London club.
Former Italy coach Marcello Lippi recently expressed his desire to manage an English Premier League side, more specifically Chelsea. The likes of Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp, Turkey national team coach Guus Hiddink and former Barcelona and Galatasaray
coach Frank Rijkaard, have all been linked with replacing Ancelotti.
With six games remaining in the season, Ancelotti still has time to impress the Russian billionaire before he is sacked. The Blues are currently in third place in the English Premier League and with the current standings, qualify for the Champions League
next season.
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