Manchester City have opened up talks with Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes as Chelsea can only watch in dismay. Rovers are expected to the give the go ahead today. Mark Hughes having a very successful season in charge of Blackburn has attracted attention for a lot of clubs seeking a new manager. He was one of the high priorities on Chelsea’s shortlist. This coming not to long after reports of Avram Grant the ex-Chelsea Manager being linked into a Managerial Job with Manchester City earlier this week.
Sensationally, Ex-Manager Jose Mourinho has joined Inter Milan after also being linked with Chelsea due to the papers stating that he has admitted he wants to rejoin Chelsea Football Club and would like to be their manager again. Meaning that Chelsea will need to pick up the pace if they are interested in signing Mark Hughes as their future manager.
A club statement said: “Mark has made it clear to the board he would like the opportunity to talk to Manchester City.
“An approach has been received from Manchester City to talk to him with regard to becoming manager.
“In view of this the board have decided reluctantly to give him permission.”
After a rough season; finishing runners-up in the Premiership and ending up only Finalists in the Champions League having succumb to Manchester United. They now find themselves in a difficult position, of which they need to find a new manager that will take hold of the current situation at Stamform Bridge and guide them back to their winning ways. Hughes has already met with Rovers chairman John Williams, stating his intentions to leave the club for the challenge with Manchester City. Williams already has Sam Allardyce at the top of his wanted list to replace Hughes.
Carlo Ancelotti has been propelled to favourite to land the £6million-a-year manager’s job at Chelsea.
The Daily Express claims that the AC Milan boss has been offered the job and owner Roman Abramovich has made Ancelotti his personal No1 choice.
Even though no one has yet been offered the job, nor has a decision been made, but clearly Ancelotti has emerged as the favourite to succeed Avram Grant, with Blackburn boss Mark Hughes a close second.
Abramovich would also like Gianfranco Zola to return to the Bridge as Ancelotti’s No2 after the sacking of Grant’s assistant, Henk ten Cate, yesterday. The former Ajax coach had been at the club for only seven months .
The race to become the new manager of Chelsea took a fresh twist last night when sources in Italy claimed that AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti had been offered the £6million-a-year job.
Ancelotti is believed to be a favourite of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and will be tempted not only by the huge salary on offer but by the transfer war chest the Russian can offer and guaranteed Champions League football.
AC Milan finished fifth in Serie A, which means that they will be out of the Champions League for only the second time in the past decade, which may convince Ancelotti to move on.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon would prefer to interview several candidates, with Blackburn boss Mark Hughes also a front runner.
They will face fierce competition from Manchester City, though. City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has also targeted Hughes as a potential successor to Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is expected to be axed in the next 24 hours.
Hughes is the most highly rated young British-born boss in the Premier League and a former team-mate of Gianfranco Zola, the man Abramovich is courting as a No2.
Hughes, 44, has told friends he does not want to become a pawn in any political power games at Chelsea – but is keen if the terms are right.
Shinawatra is willing to pay big money for the right man – though not perhaps in Chelsea’s league – and has also targeted Luiz Felipe Scolari and Roberto Mancini, who left Inter Milan yesterday.
Jose Mourinho is expected to be unveiled as Inter Milan’s new coach early next week.
Thanks Avram, but no thanks
Avram Grant has been sacked by Chelsea after just eight months in charge. Speculation was rife after they lost to Manchester United on Wednesday night. Peter Kenyon who famously left United for Chelsea broke the news today.
The Israeli lead Chelsea to a hat-trick of runners up in the Premier League, the Champions League and the Carling Cup. Despite missing key players for half the season. His record was nothing short of sensational, losing only 5 from 54 games in all competitions. Grant did receive criticism for his lack of charisma and style of play on the pitch.
A statement on the Chelsea website said the search for a new coach had begun and that the club will make no further comment.
The statement also said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Avram Grant has had his contract as manager terminated today. This follows meetings over the last two days.
“Everybody at Chelsea FC would like to thank Avram for his contribution since taking over as manager last September.
“We will now be concentrating all our efforts on identifying a new manager for Chelsea and there will be no further comment until that appointment is made.”
Frank Rijkaard, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Brian Laudrup and Roberto Mancini have all been mentioned.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will stick with the London club - and intends to prise Kaka away from AC Milan, it has been revealed.
DiarioSport says Abramovich has told close friends he will continue to pump his millions into Chelsea, despite Wednesday’s glorious Champions League failure. And he sees Kaka as the man to deliver the changes he wants to bring to the Blues next season.
Roberto Mancini, Inter Milan’s coach, is the man Abramovich wants to take charge next season. However, football chief Frank Arnesen is under pressure, according to sources.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has authorised manager Avram Grant to make an £80 million bid for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi, according to reports.
The News of the World suggests that the Barca board are split on whether to sell or not, considering the huge amount of money on offer.
|
 |
| Record: The wages on offer by Chelsea could lure Lionel Messi from Barcelona to Stamford Bridge |
Should Messi move to Stamford Bridge it will shatter the current world transfer record of £46.5m that Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.
Abramovich is adamant that Chelsea must start playing attractive, attacking football and was rumoured to have lined up a swoop for Ronaldinho, before the Brazilian’s sudden dip in form.
Messi, however, has shone for Barcelona, and even outplayed Cristiano Ronaldo during his club’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United.
A source close to the proposed deal is quoted as saying: “Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him.
“He has always wanted that type of player. Under Jose Mourinho he accepted the football because it was bringing in the trophies, but he got bored.
“Grant wants to change things but explained it takes time and a lot of money to alter the style. Now is the time for Roman to finance that change.
“Chelsea are attractive because of the wages on offer, and they are in the Champions League final.”
Valencia striker David Villa says he’s open to all offers ahead of the summer market.
Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool have all had Villa watched in recent months and been linked with bids for the Spain striker over the last year.
With Valencia now facing a season without European football next term, Villa is considering his future and admits: “I have always been aware when offers have arrived for me and I will always make a decision on what’s best for my career.
“Though, of course, everything will be done with the consent of the club.
“I have to think about my future and what I am going to do. I will be listening to all offers.”
