The Coach Slayer: Abramovich

By Paul Martins

I'm not anti-Abramovich. However, there does seem to be two sides to the coin with him. Undoubtedly he has been a force for good at Chelsea, saving them from bankruptcy and investing millions in developing the club in all areas. His involvement added greater competition to the premier league and has some ways paved the way for the rise of English football around the world (signing of world class players etc). However, as a model for how clubs should be run and the long term viability of his approach i think he is clearly lacking. 

The way he lashes out on the players and the constant changing of coaches shows that he has failed to develop a sense of identity in my opinion. You just don't go changing coaches because you feel you own a club and all. I have said it before but fans don't just align themselves with success they want to feel an affinity with a club, a sense of identity.
I feel that this is the missing piece of the Abramovich approach and if something is not done about it, it may backfire later.

Say what you like about short term success, as a fan i always feel its more poignant when you feel like the club, players and fans have had come on a journey. I mean, look at Manchester United. Why do you think the club has been that successful... Its because of the understanding the management has with the coach. Look at the Barca fans celebrate their players. Its because there's love in the club. The chopping and changing has eliminated this for many Chelsea fans in my opinion. I hope he sticks with Mourinho as throughout his tenure he is the man Chelsea fans have come to identify themselves with.

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