The sacking of Carlo Ancelotti, immediately after Chelsea’s final day defeat to Everton, was a harsh and ruthless decision but one that we have come to expect in recent years from Roman Abramovich, the club’s owner.
With the sacking, the Italian became the fifth managerial casualty of Abramovich’s reign in West London since his purchase of the club eight years ago.
However, he may not have to look far for his latest replacement.
Whilst names such as Guus Hiidink and Marco van Basten have been branded about in the media, there is one name that has not been even been associated with the vacant post at Stamford Bridge.
Martin O’Neill’s acrimonious departure from Aston Villa has finally been settled after the tribunal involving the two parties came to an amicable conclusion, no less than nine months after it started. After the outcome, O’Neill said that he is looking forward to getting back into management, and the idea of him gaining the Chelsea job is not beyond the realms of possibility.
There are many reasons why O’Neill would be the ideal candidate: he is a free agent, would be relatively cheap compared to other high-profile candidates and his work at Villa, where he achieved three consecutive sixth-placed finishes in the league ensures he has a wealth of experience that is pivotal for anybody taking over in the white-hot cauldron at the Bridge.
O’Neill also found consistency at Villa on a relatively modest transfer budget, and bought players such as Richard Dunne, Stewart Downing and Ashley Young, all of whom now form the spine of Gerard Houllier’s team.
He led Villa into Europe on numerous occasions and also reached the Carling Cup final in 2010 in one of his final feats before his surprise resignation in August 2010. It is believed that he left due to a lack of “transfer funds at his disposal”. That is not something that he would encounter at Chelsea, with Abramovich still willing to back his managers in the market.
Whilst everybody expects a “high-profile” appointment to be made, O’Neill would represent a dose of reality at Chelsea. He would certainly bring a more level-headedness to a Chelsea dressing room that is well documented for its fair share of egos.
O’Neill would also want to right the wrongs of his departure from Villa, and continue to pick up where he left off; managing to bring consistency and success to a Premier League outfit.
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