The facts and figures have been pouring out since Roberto Di Matteo was sacked as Chelsea manager on Wednesday night Australian time.
Eight managers in nine years – the same number as Chelsea had in their first 75 years – six of whom have shared in a total of AU$57 million in payouts following their firing.
While these figures serve to reinforce the shock of sacking a manager who just six months ago was in charge when Chelsea won the Champions League for the first time in their history, ultimately they are distractions.
Here are some other figures:
One Champions League title and another final, three Premier League titles and four times runners-up plus four FA Cups.
That’s Chelsea’s honour roll since trigger-happy owner Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003. Not bad for an owner who is almost universally criticised for a habit of losing patience with his managerial choices.
Compare the record at Stamford Bridge with Manchester United across the same period:
One Champions League title, two other finals, four Premier League titles and one FA Cup.
The stability United have enjoyed by having Sir Alex Ferguson in charge throughout the Abramovich era at Chelsea hasn’t made the drastic difference those calling for stability for stability’s sake at Stamford Bridge might imagine.
As brutal as it was, the real mistake wasn’t Abramovich sacking Di Matteo, but actually giving a contract to a manger in the first place.
Ever since it became clear the Italian manager was just a back-up to the Chelsea owner’s determined courting of Pep Guardiola, Di Matteo’s tenure was destined to end in acrimony.
So what next for Chelsea?
Well, another short-term appointment isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
Pep Guardiola only needed one season to win the treble, Antonio Conte took Juve from mid-table to undefeated champions of Italy in the same amount of time and of course there is Di Matteo’s European success last season after replacing Andre Villas Boas just a few months earlier.
Di Matteo aside, the key factor with Guardiola and Conte was these tacticians were two thoroughly considered hirings whom had the complete backing of those in charge at their clubs.
Over the last five years Roman Abramovich has rarely shown that kind of faith in any of his appointments.
Still, in terms of silverware it hasn’t worked too badly for Chelsea thus far.
Neuen
Roar Rookie
One Champions League title and another final, three Premier League titles and four times runners-up plus four FA Cups. Let me put it like this That 1 Champions league spot cost them €272 million. The other titles around that much as well. Roma is a business man. He spent 60 million already and his team is doing worse. His money is not being well used. Like in the business sector get someone who can use it well. So he is entirely correct.
Towser
Guest
"Winning a champions league final and FA Cup final in 5 months not good enough" On one hand I wouldn't mind some of Abramovich's money at Hillsborough. Then again if we base manager longevity under Abramovich ,in relation to success ,he'd be sacking a manager a week.
whiskeymac
Guest
but Chelski have been successful. Thats the contradiction - just like Real'sGalactico and managerial merrygoround - the team has had a bucketload of trophies including the Uefa CL and FA Cup last season, they are also sitting high in the EPL. .. Great teams appear to take about 250million and 2 seasons - Chelski and Man City are testament to that... se someone good and buy them up OR do what my team does, get the potential, train them, build the team and then see Barca, Man City, Chelski etc buy them up.
Peter Wilson
Roar Guru
Winning a champions league final and FA Cup final in 5 months not good enough. He tried something different against Juve and lost. If they win at home as they should and Juve lose to Shaktar, they'll still progress in the ECL. Stability yes, but how many years has Wegner been at Arsenal and how many thophies has he won lately? Need to get results too.
wisey_9
Roar Guru
"...six of whom have shared in a total of AU$57 million in payouts following their firing." THATS why people are taking the job. Plus a squad with Mata, Oscar and Hazard in it doesn't seem too shabby! But yeah I agree with the rest of what you said. Great teams take time to build.
Rixy
Guest
True they have had similar success to United over that period, but how much additional cash has Chelsea pumped into wages and transfers? The stability of Ferguson has meant players want to play under him for less money. He is also able to develop young players and buy players on potential. Why would the Chelsea manager invest in a talented 18 year old who wont hit his peak for 4-6 years when there is next to no chance of the manager still being there at this time?
Kev
Guest
I don't know why anyone would bother taking the job at Chelsea when a trigger happy idiot like Abramovich is in charge of the place. He's too impatient and he's too shortsighted and his expectation for instant sustained success is unrealistic. Great teams take time to build and no amount of money can change that.
Mark
Guest
This must be a last chance for Torres. He fired under Benitez last time, hopefully he will do it again.
Towser
Guest
I'd suggest that from a managers point of view,hiring any manager at Chelsea is a mistake. Talk about a poisoned chalice.
Jinbob
Guest
And yet they perservere with Fernando Torres. Joke of a club.
Bondy.
Guest
And now they really have a megalomaniac in charge,the stupidity doesnt stop,
whiskeymac
Guest
Di MAtteo for SFC.
Brian
Guest
The trophy cabinet is good but not that impressive compared to the money spent. I'd say in every Abramovic year they have been in the top 2 spenders. The Benitez appointment seems lunacy. His 6 years at Liverpool are full of turning $12-15m players into $1-2m players. He is defensive and what success he did have was in the Champs League - where Chelsea will probably not be the rest of the season. His Premier League record was underwhelming.
whiskeymac
Guest
What helps winning is buying the best players too mind you. They have had an array of managerial talent churned through. Reminds me of Real Madrid. Oh and Bling FC. Reports are BENITEZ is now in the poisoned chalice. Interesting choice.... .. Still is it to much to hope this will derail their season - which Europe aside wasn't going that badly - and allow the stable but underperforming Arsenal to leapfrog them. Probably not.