Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins parts ways with club
Ray Wilkins, the two-time caretaker manager of Chelsea, who had most recently been brought back on in 2008 and stayed as assistant manager, has not had his contract renewed and will be leaving his post,
the club announced.
Wilkins had come in under Luis Felipe Scolari, stayed when Guus Hiddink came in briefly, and stuck around when Carlo Ancelotti first took over the club at the start of 2009-2010 season.
Chelsea's chief executive Ron Gourlay told the media: "I would like to thank Ray for everything he has done for Chelsea. We all wish him well for the future."
Chelsea's current manager, Ancelotti, has always praised Wilkins for his contribution to the club, even writing words of praise of the 54-year-old, Italian-speaking Englishman in his recently published
autobiography.
"Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. His heart beats in two languages, and that helped me," Ancelotti wrote. "Without him, we
couldn't have won a thing, and in particular we would not have started the year at supersonic speed."
Chelsea won the English Premier League last season and are currently atop the league a full four points clear of second place Manchester United.
Wilkins had a tremendous playing career in both England and Scotland, as well as stints in Italy and France, as well as making 84 appearances for the English national team with 3 goals.
Wilkins had spells as manager for QPR and Fulham between 1994 and 1998 before taking on the assistant's role at Chelsea, as well as clubs such as Watford and the England under-21s.
Wilkins got his start with Chelsea, making his debut as a 17-year-old. Wilkins played for Chelsea between 1973 and 1979 making 179 appearances and scoring 30 goals.
Chelsea have not issued any specific reason for declining to renew Wilkins' contract.
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