Most Liverpool fans are of the opinion that Liverpool narrowly lost the league title to Manchester United in the 2008-2009 season, due to Rafa Benitez’s infamous rant on Sir Alex Ferguson. Liverpool drew too many games post the rant in January, which effectively ended their title hopes. Fast forward to 2013, and Benitez is at it again, scathingly attacking the Chelsea board and fans alike for their treatment towards the ‘interim’ Chelsea boss.
Benitez must have very well known this rant is going to cost him his job in the summer if not immediately, and has already confirmed his departure at the end of the season. Chelsea may or may not finish in the top 4 this season, or win a trophy, but what is for certain following Benitez’s rant is that Chelsea will again have a new manager in the summer. Chelsea fans must be wondering whether their manager’s post is cursed in recent times, with the Blues set to name their 11th manager in less than ten years during the Abramovich era.
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup is the latest name to be linked to the Chelsea job following Swansea’s impressive displays, which sees them employing a free-flowing and attack minded style of play. Laudrup led Swansea to their first ever major trophy last weekend by beating Bradford in the Capital One Cup final after remarkably beating Liverpool and Chelsea en route to the final. Laudrup was regarded as one of the finest players of his generation and is famous for winning the La Liga title for a breathtaking 5 consecutive years with both Barcelona and Real Madrid, but his managerial career has not been so glittering.
Laudrup’s most successful spell has been with Danish club Brondby where he won 4 titles in 4 seasons from 2002 till 2006. He had a relatively unsuccessful time with Getafe, Spartak Moscow and Mallorca before he joined Swansea City in June 2012. But Laudrup’s stock has increased since his arrival at Swansea and has been linked to the managerial post at many top European clubs.
Chelsea owner Abramovich is known to have little patience with managers when it comes to results and wants his team to play an exciting brand of football. If Laudrup is indeed appointed, the Chelsea owner can expect free flowing football and value for money. Chelsea have usually paid over the top for good quality players and with the FFP regulations coming into effect soon, the Blues will not be able to spend so much like in the past. With Laudrup though, they will have a manager who has a knack of finding good quality players such as his purchase of Michu for just €2.5 million. Abramovich may also realize that, despite the trophies won in recent seasons, stability is needed in order to take the club forward.
Laudrup has recently endeared himself to the Chelsea fans by insisting Chelsea fans were right to boo Benitez. One has to have the backing of the fans to be successful at any club and Laudrup will certainly do no harm to his reputation among the Blues fans by defending their behaviour towards Benitez. Laudrup’s departure maybe imminent after he admitted he did not know where his future lies.