Jose Mourinho's future at Chelsea has been cast into
further doubt after Roman Abramovich chaired an impromptu board
meeting at Vicarage Road on Saturday. The Russian billionaire owner
convened in what the Mirror has described as an "extraordinary
public referendum" with chief executive Peter Kenyon, chairman
Bruce Buck and his right-hand man Eugene Tenenbaum following
Chelsea's 1-0 victory at Watford.
The club's powerbrokers sat in deep discussion for 15 minutes with
Mourinho's future on the agenda despite the Blues still being in
the hunt for a further three trophies this season, having already
won the Carling Cup.
Abramovich also decided against visiting Chelsea's dressing room
after the triumph to avoid bumping into Mourinho, even though his
meeting was held just yards away from the celebrating team. If
Mourinho is sacked in the summer Chelsea will look at Frank
Rijkaard, Guus Hiddink, Roberto Mancini or Marco van Basten as
possible replacements- but the management structure could be
changed entirely.
The Independent reports that Chelsea 'are considering hiring two
coaches - one of them English - to be overseen by a senior figure
like Guus Hiddink. 'The plan to appoint two coaches under a more
general manager would be attractive to Chelsea for many reasons,
not least that it would prevent the kind of stand-off that has
developed between Mourinho and Abramovich.'
The Independent stresses that 'appointment of an Englishman to a
senior role at the club' is a 'major priority'.
Abramovich with his 3 wise
men? 