In the recent wake of events, we all are focusing on is how long Mr. Louis Van Gaal can save his neck. I do agree that it’s the most talked about topic in world football today. Everyone seems to have their fair share of take on the so called “philosophy”. But one prospective change in managerial role that is not being discussed much is of the next Chelsea manager.
Since the temporary recruitment of Mr. Guus Hiddink it’s been a dream run for Chelsea. Unbeaten in the league since he took the reins, very much in the FA cup and maybe a strong performance at home that will see them through in the Champions League as well. But what we are forgetting is that these are short term goals. Chelsea will be manager less at the end of the season & even if Guus does a good job this season and gets some silverware, yet it looks highly unlikely that he will get the job for next season.
We all know about a certain Roberto Di Matteo, who, despite steering the club to double title success, winning both the FA Cup and the club’s first UEFA Champions League title in 2012, was dismissed later that year. Such is the nature of Roman Abramovich that it looks highly unlikely for Guus to be employed for a long reign.
This brings me to my top 2 contenders for the Chelsea job.
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Antonio Conte
Great man. Great manager. His achievements with Juventus is something worth applauding. In his very first season at Juventus, he achieved quite a few feats. 28 games unbeaten in his first 10 months. He became the first coach since Marcelo Lippi in 2004 to guide Juventus to the Copa Italia final. He also became the first coach since Fabio Capello to win both legs of the Derby Italia against Inter. He led Juventus to its 28th Sucdetto. He also finished the league unbeaten. All this in his very first season. And he won the Scudetto next two seasons as well. Post that came the Italians calling after Cesare Prandelli’s resignation. Wanting a fresh challenge, Conte accepted it.
Conte has widely drawn comparisons with Jose Mourinho because of his obsession with tactics. They both share an insane love for trying various formations like 3-5-2, 4-3-4, 4-2-4 to name a few. But he finally settled on his now trademark 3-5-2 or 5-3-2.
Sounds like the perfect man to take over Chelsea. Roman definitely wants him and the bookies have also made him the favourite. But, he isn’t the right man for Chelsea according to me. The prime reason being his dismal form in Europe. In his first Champions League Campaign, Juventus were knocked out by Bayern in the quarter finals on an aggregate score of 4-0. The following season they were eliminated in the first round. Conte however did take them to the semi-finals of the less coveted Europa league in that season. But couldn’t go past it.
Anyone who watched Juventus closely in these two European outings would have definitely noticed how they struggled in all the matches. Conte’s tactics somehow seemed to be outdated in the competition. It was completely different to his performance in the league. A club like Chelsea given their history of the past 10 years should now target on long term goals and getting a manager who can win them the league as well as the Champions league in a year or so.
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Diego Simeone
Strong, dominant, expressive. That’s how I find him. Another favourite to take over the job at Chelsea. And it’s not a surprise. Winning the Europa League in his first season with Atletico and then the 4-1 drubbing of Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup. He won the Copa del Rey in 2013 after beating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu and led the Rojiblancos to a 3rd place finish in the league in 2012-13 and subsequently won it in the following season, a league which has traditionally seen a duopoly between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. Now that’s an achievement.
He also became the first manager since Claudio Ranieri to register a league win at Santiago Bernabeu. Atletico collected 90 points in their league winning season passing its previous record of 87 from the 1996 season. In the same season, Atletico reached the finals of the UEFA Champions League, for only the second time in their history. This time undefeated in their passage to the final. Special mention must be made of the Quarter Final tie against Barcelona. Simeone’s tactics completely cut the swift passing midfield of Barcelona in two, thus denying them space and isolated Xavi and Iniesta from forwards Messi and Neymar. In the final they met their cross city rivals Real Madrid and if it were not for the efforts of a certain man named Sergio Ramos, who rose above the rest to head a corner in the 93rd minute they would have lifted this trophy as well.
If one follows Simeone’s tactics closely we can see that his game plan includes a rough playing style. A style which induces the player to have a harder work rate. Any Atletico player is running slowly? Be rest assured Simeone is bursting his lungs out and scolding and cheering him up at the same time. Is he what Chelsea needs? If you ask me, I will probably answer yes. Chelsea is a team known for its lacklustre “park the bus” strategy. So much so that some pundits claim that in 2012 final, their formation was 9-0-1. It got them success, though.
Having said that, even Roman should try to make Chelsea look like an attacking force. A club which would strike fear in the hearts of then the opponent because of their attacking footballing style. Also keeping their defensive roots at the same time. Simeone seems the man, perfect to do it. His aggression is probably what Chelsea has lacked in all their managers in the yester years.