Chelsea's Paul Clement reportedly frontrunner to replace Ray Wilkins
Chelsea’s first team coach, Paul Clement, is reportedly the front-runner candidate to replace assistant coach Ray Wilkins.
Wilkins contract was not renewed by the club and Chelsea announced that the coach would be leaving the club with immediate effect on Thursday 11 November.
Chelsea were linked with Gianfranco Zola, Michael Emelano, Steve Clarke and Alessandro Costacurta, but the club now appears to be set to name Clement as the replacement. Emelano had seemingly been just
as likely to be picked as Clement, but over the weekend it emerged that Clement would likely be picked.
Speaking at a press conference, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti praised the assistant coach and said, "Ray was a fantastic assistant coach and I want to thank him. He was a fantastic support last season
and this season.”
"He did a fantastic job. He helped me and all the team to win the double. He is my friend. I have a fantastic relationship with him and I will continue to have a fantastic relationship with him,” added
Ancelotti.
The news came as a shock to the manager and the Chelsea players, but Ancelotti stated that he respected the clubs decision to part company with the former English international.
"The club made this decision. I think it was a difficult decision for everyone. But I have respect for this decision, but I think now we have to move on,” said the Chelsea manager.
The club has faced some criticism for the shock departure, and the weekend's disappointing defeat to Sunderland had some speculating whether or not that had anything to do with players being happy in the
wake of Wilkins' departure.
The news of Wilkins departure was a surprise announcement as he was considered a key member of the backroom staff.
Chelsea will hope that Clement can fill the void.
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