EPL News: Ray Wilkins parts ways with Chelsea F.C as the Blues look for a replacement from within
Ray Wilkins parted ways with Chelsea F.C as their assistant manager on Thursday in a surprise move which has left the administrative hierarchy at Stamford Bridge shaking. Chelsea are believed to be looking for an immediate replacement for the ex-Blues player but that is something that is easier said than done. Wilkins was an integral part of the 2009-2010 league winning side as he helped maintain contact and communication between Carlo Ancelloti and the Chelsea players as the Italian is not known to be quite fluent in English.
However, Chelsea are looking towards their head opposition scout, Emenalo to replace Ray. Emenalo was brought into the club by Avram Grant as the astute scout went onto work with Felipe Scolari as well when the Brazilian was in charge at Chelsea. Ray was told my Ron Gourlay on Thursday that his contract at the club wasn’t going to be renewed thus the Englishman decided to leave the club with immediate effect. Chelsea released a statement through their website, elaborating on the whole situation as the London club said, "On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Ray for everything he has done for Chelsea Football Club. We all wish him well for the future.”
The decision has certainly come as a surprise as Wilkins was a part of the Chelsea bench on Wednesday night as the Blues defeated Fulham by a goal to nil at the Bridge. After that Wilkins was on duty on Thursday as well as he oversaw Chelsea’s reserves beat a second string Bayern Munich team. Ancelloti wrote about Wilkins in his recent biography, "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. Without him, we couldn't have won a thing, and in particular we would not have started the year at supersonic speed."
It remains to be seen how Chelsea will deal with this change in their management line up. Ancelloti will have to come into direct communication with the players for now, something that might be an added bit of pressure on the ex-A.C Milan manager. Chelsea face Tottenham and Arsenal next month but by that time it is expected the club will surely install a new assistant manager.
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