Chelsea have lined up Barcelona boss Frank Rijkaard to
replace Jose Mourinho in the summer. The former Holland coach has
moved to the top of the Stamford Bridge shortlist to come in if
Jose Mourinho is sacked at the end of the season.
According to those close to Abramovich, Mourinho's conduct has
deteriorated in recent months and it is expected that the Russian
billionaire will sack the Portuguese coach. Such is the discord
between the pair, Abramovich has reportedly considered sacking
Mourinho before the end of this season, despite Chelsea still being
involved in the Premiership title race, the FA Cup and the
Champions League, having already won the Carling Cup. His behaviour
has compounded the fact that the billionaire has not enjoyed
watching Chelsea play of late. They may have only lost one game in
their last 29 matches but the football produced has too often been
unimpressive and lacking in flair.
According to the Independent, Rijkaard has been targeted by
Abramovich to bring the kind of attacking football that Barcelona
have produced over the past few seasons to the Premiership.
Crucially, Rijkaard is also seen as a less confrontational figure
than Mourinho, who has not been afraid of expressing his views and
grievances.
The Independent claims that Rijkaard heads a list that features, or
has featured at various times, Sevilla boss Juande Ramos,
Internazionale coach Roberto Mancini, former Holland manager Guus
Hiddink and Juventus coach Didier Deschamps.
