Having been an integral part of the coaching staff at Stamford Bridge since September 2008, Ray Wilkins’ departure has caused sizeable tremors at Chelsea. With some feeling that the insensitive manner in which Wilkins, who began his footballing career at The Bridge in 1973, was unceremoniously given the boot has facilitated a noticeable dip in form from the 2009-10 champions. But is Wilkins’ departure the principal reason for such a tangible reversal of fortune?
The clandestine way Wilkins was relieved of his duties must signal some sort of backroom fallout, and as the assistant manager is not that far in the background, this will, without doubt, have had an effect on the players. As Wilkins himself has recently noted;
“I am very disappointed that the board decided that I had no further contribution to make at Chelsea Football Club which has played such a huge part in my life… The LMA’s legal advisors are assisting me in obtaining answers to a number of questions arising from my undoubtedly unfair dismissal, and all efforts are being made to reach an amicable solution”
With Carlo Ancelotti reportedly wanting to quit after the fallout from Wilkins’ departure, and more reports of ‘player power’ being a factor in the sacking, turmoil is reigning supreme at Stamford Bridge, and it is being felt on the pitch, not necessarily just in terms of results, but also in terms of performances.
The truth is, although undoubtedly a good coach and assistant manager, Ray Wilkins departure alone cannot cause the dip in form that Chelsea are currently suffering. Rather than the man himself it is more the principal of the entire situation that has affected the squad.
Through Wilkins’ sacking, if player power was indeed involved, we can see Chelsea heralding back to the days when Avram Grant was in charge and it was highly publicised that the players essentially ran the team, and that is not a road Chelsea want to travel down again. For every player that wanted Wilkins out the door, there will be another who didn’t, and if the order to get rid of the 54 year-old came from higher, then the players may be more than a little disgruntled, both on and off the pitch.
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