Ex-Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins reaches settlement with Chelsea
Ray Wilkins, who was sacked just a month ago, has made a settlement with his former employers Chelsea after consultation with his lawyers.
Wilkins was replaced by an unknown personality Michael Emenalo as Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant. With the backing of the League Managers Association, Wilkins filed a lawsuit against his former employers for his unlawful removal.
But after consulting with his lawyers, the Englishman has finally reached a settlement agreement with Chelsea.
In a statement issued after the settlement, Wilkins admitted that it was very hard for him to leave the club like that as Chelsea had played such a vital role in his life both as a player and as a coach. He further said that he
still has great love for the club, its staff, players and supporters and he wishes all of them the best of luck for the future. He also thanked LMA and the club for reaching a swift and appropriate closure.
LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said, "All parties are delighted that an agreement has been reached in a cordial and professional manner. I am sure that a manager of Ray's experience will be back involved in a managerial
or coaching capacity soon."
Wilkins became part of Chelsea’s coaching staff during the Luiz Felipe Scolari era in September 2008. Current Italian boss Ancelotti was full of praise for the 54-year-old and appreciated his role in his double trophy winning season.
The Blues won both the FA Cup and Premier League last season, ending the winning streak of Manchester United.
The Italian heaped praise in his autobiography and said that Ray was one of those people who was always present and believed that only Chelsea blood flows through his veins and the Club could not have won the double in the absence
of his former assistant.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay was also pleased over the settlement agreement.
He said, “I am pleased to announce that we have come to a swift and amicable agreement with Ray Wilkins and all unresolved matters have now been settled. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ray for his service to
the club and wish him all the best for the future.”
Wilkins was told during the Chelsea reserve game that his services were no longer required by the club and he was to leave immediately. That sent shockwaves throughout the club including manager Ancelotti and the players. His departure
saw an immediate effect on the performance of the team.
November turned out to be a disastrous month in the history of the Roman Abramovich era. Chelsea lost 3 games out of 5, winning only one. They only managed to get only 4 points out of a possible 15, which not only cost them the
top spot in the league but also brought them level on points with Arsenal (29 points), 3 points behind current League table leaders Manchester United.
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