Jump to content

Featured Replies

Posted

Drifting in and out of consciousness this morning whilst having Five Live on this morning, I (think) I heard an interview with Harry Harris who claimed that Roman interviewed Zola and Clarke last week and a deal has been done to bring back Zola and Clarke to be our management team next season. Having written the biographies of both Zola and Jose suggests that he does have access to inside knowledge. With Guus insisting that he will not remain as manager whatever the outcome of the next few months and Zola making noises along the line of you never know what happens in the future, this does appear to be a very real possibility. Although there have been many instances of heroes returning to the field of their former glory only for it all to go horribly wrong, this would be dream come true.

Slightly worrying however is the statement in the release of our latest financial figures from Kenyon that "in line with our long stated business aims, any squad restructuring in the summer will be funded predominantly by sales". Seeing as it is obvious that our squad needs a fundamental overhaul, would Zola and Clarke be stymied before they began?

Drifting in and out of consciousness this morning whilst having Five Live on this morning, I (think) I heard an interview with Harry Harris who claimed that Roman interviewed Zola and Clarke last week and a deal has been done to bring back Zola and Clarke to be our management team next season. Having written the biographies of both Zola and Jose suggests that he does have access to inside knowledge. With Guus insisting that he will not remain as manager whatever the outcome of the next few months and Zola making noises along the line of you never know what happens in the future, this does appear to be a very real possibility. Although there have been many instances of heroes returning to the field of their former glory only for it all to go horribly wrong, this would be dream come true.

Slightly worrying however is the statement in the release of our latest financial figures from Kenyon that "in line with our long stated business aims, any squad restructuring in the summer will be funded predominantly by sales". Seeing as it is obvious that our squad needs a fundamental overhaul, would Zola and Clarke be stymied before they began?

Well if we've got to develope our younger lads, I can't think of a better pair to do it.

As much as any genuine Chelsea supporter worth their blood would love to see GOD back at the bridge, I cringe at the prospect. Admittedly it would be the most glorious thing in the world to see Franco lead the blues to a few trophies, but OTOH there would be nothing worse than seeing Franco doing a Scolari at the bridge, sacked halfway through the season because of a short spate of bad form. It would just ruin the wonderful relationship we have with him. If there is any truth to this I would love it if RA gave him 5 years. Otherwise give him about 10 years at West Ham to learn from his mistakes, then he'd be ready. His legend is sacred, and I hope that is respected.

if it was a dream, it was a wonderful one

would be a dream come true to have him back

he's actually the only reason i'm a chelsea fan. started supportin them back in 96

I think the only way that the Zola/Clarke partnership could work at Chelsea would be with their roles reversed.

Interesting thought

As much as any genuine Chelsea supporter worth their blood would love to see GOD back at the bridge, I cringe at the prospect. Admittedly it would be the most glorious thing in the world to see Franco lead the blues to a few trophies, but OTOH there would be nothing worse than seeing Franco doing a Scolari at the bridge, sacked halfway through the season because of a short spate of bad form. It would just ruin the wonderful relationship we have with him. If there is any truth to this I would love it if RA gave him 5 years. Otherwise give him about 10 years at West Ham to learn from his mistakes, then he'd be ready. His legend is sacred, and I hope that is respected.

On my life. I wish people would stop repeating the bollox that Scolari was sacked after a few poor results. I've listed the worst of the performances in another thread somewhere, there were around 20 of them, across all competitions, and they go all the way back to the 1-1 draw against T*tt*nh*m. See Post 14 of this thread Another important point to note is that Scolari was never here for the long term - he was on a 2-year contract with an option for a one year extension.

Back to the subject. It would be a hell of a risk this early in Zola's management career, but if we are seriously looking for long term management team, then this might be the answer, and maybe not so much of a risk if you go by the improvements over at Pikey park since Clarkey's arrival in particular. I'd love to see them back here, love to see them given time, and love to see it work out.

I'm not sure why people think Clarke would be a good manager. He's a Chelsea legend no doubt, and clearly a very good coach but so many people have proved through the years that being a good coach doesn't necessarily mean you're a good manager. The Clarke/Zola pairing seems to be doing well and I'd love to see the pair of them back at the Bridge next year, but why would anyone want to change around the roles that seem to be working so well - at least without giving it a bit more time???

As much as any genuine Chelsea supporter worth their blood would love to see GOD back at the bridge, I cringe at the prospect. Admittedly it would be the most glorious thing in the world to see Franco lead the blues to a few trophies, but OTOH there would be nothing worse than seeing Franco doing a Scolari at the bridge, sacked halfway through the season because of a short spate of bad form. It would just ruin the wonderful relationship we have with him. If there is any truth to this I would love it if RA gave him 5 years. Otherwise give him about 10 years at West Ham to learn from his mistakes, then he'd be ready. His legend is sacred, and I hope that is respected.

i agree with what you say, i always fear for the retunring hero as it very rarely works out well. keegan, dalglish, howard wilkinson etc all start of well but see the club struggle. i would hate to see franco fail at the bridge and have some fickle fans turn on him.

Yes he has. But I'm just a little pissed off with people who keep saying Scolari was hard done by - and using the mythology that he was sacked after a few poor results to imply that the same fate will befall any future manager after a few results.

It's time that little myth was well and truly shattered.

Yes he has. But I'm just a little pissed off with people who keep saying Scolari was hard done by - and using the mythology that he was sacked after a few poor results to imply that the same fate will befall any future manager after a few results.

It's time that little myth was well and truly shattered.

your right, but you have to remember SOME fans get all their knowledge from the media, and thats never a bad thing (thats not an attack on you riccardo by the way). his sacking wasnt just down to the results, it was more down to the utter dross being served up every week and the way he lost the dressing room.

I know mate, and I have some sympathy with you because you have been constant throughout this. Wrong, but constant :) :)

You know what I think but that's all water under the bridge, but I'm concerned that the acceptance level is getting lower with each passing manager and fear for whoever takes over after Guus

Sh!t, I'm not even convinced Guus will make it to the end of the season if we go out of the FA Cup and the CL and drop to 6th in the league by mid april

kev

Keep The Faith! (or Fingers Crossed)

I would love to see Zola being back at the Bridge and I think for us supporters it would really be a dream come true.

But it has been said before. What happens if he fails? Will he have more time than Grant or Scolari to show how good he is and how he can lead a team? Or will he be sacked when the results fail to meet the expectations only after a few months? The last thing I want is seeing Zola being sacked at SB. He is our legend and I think he will have all the support he needs from the players and the fans. As much as I would love to see him back I'm afraid that he will suffer the same fate all the other managers did when things don't go as expected.

Edited by Luckydevil

I'm not sure why people think Clarke would be a good manager. He's a Chelsea legend no doubt, and clearly a very good coach but so many people have proved through the years that being a good coach doesn't necessarily mean you're a good manager. The Clarke/Zola pairing seems to be doing well and I'd love to see the pair of them back at the Bridge next year, but why would anyone want to change around the roles that seem to be working so well - at least without giving it a bit more time???

I agree with you in that you dont mess with a good thing when it seems to be working like a charm. But i kind of had the same sentiment about bringing the pair over here as Bluebeard does. I think our dip in form after he left + the rumors from last year, for me, add up to the fact that Clarke was essentially the manager last season, and handled everything but the tactical aspects of the game from the sideline. Thats a bit of a reach, I realize, but I think its plausable. And brining him back, once again, in an assistants role to someone else, just strikes me as a little ungracious.

But if he is willing to have it, with Zola as the "boss" on paper, then by all means. I think people think of them more as a duo anyway, almost as a kind of partnership

West ham forums are suggesting Clarke wont go back to Chelsea as an assistant because of the way we treated him when he left. I hope that's not true because I wouldn't want one without the other - but I really want them both back here

Have them in charge would be a dream come true, but I can't help thinking "is Zola ready?". Maybe he needs some more experience first? On the other hand, maybe he has learnt enough already and with the help of Clarke he might do fine.

And even though there are quite a few bigger managers out there the prospect of having two of "our own" in charge does sound nice. They will have a different kind of love for the club.

West ham forums are suggesting Clarke wont go back to Chelsea as an assistant because of the way we treated him when he left. I hope that's not true because I wouldn't want one without the other - but I really want them both back here

I think its reasonable to assume Clarkey left either because he couldnt work under (wasnt made welcome by..) mad-phil or because he wanted to work under Mr nice guy Franco.

Either reason doesnt stop him coming back to the club, unless he blames the club for something else, but I dont see what ?

I think its reasonable to assume Clarkey left either because he couldnt work under (wasnt made welcome by..) mad-phil or because he wanted to work under Mr nice guy Franco.

Either reason doesnt stop him coming back to the club, unless he blames the club for something else, but I dont see what ?

Well, if there is truth to the rumors behind the scenes, and he did help run the team under Grant, then he deserved way more than than he got (being kept in the same role under a new glamorous hire, and then having that role reduced by all accounts) for how successful we were.

If I had known then what I know now, he probably wouldve been my first choice for a new manager

Well, if there is truth to the rumors behind the scenes, and he did help run the team under Grant, then he deserved way more than than he got (being kept in the same role under a new glamorous hire, and then having that role reduced by all accounts) for how successful we were.

If I had known then what I know now, he probably wouldve been my first choice for a new manager

I too heard about Scolari reducing Clarke's role at the club to what later on became Butch's specialty - an essentially a P.R. man to deal with British media - and probably lower in the coaching pecking order than he was during Mourinho era. While I could understand his frustration I won't go as far as to say Steve deserved more or less of what he's got, he was still under contract and a new manager almost always brings his own staff. If SC was unhappy he could have left in the summer, but since there were no openings he decided to stick around. Once Zola took over at West Spam Steve wanted out even though the season was in full swing.

He didn't care much about CFC when he decided that, did he? I'd welcome him back anytime because of what Clarkey's done for Chelsea and because I believe he's a very good coach but to suggest that he has any right to harbor any ill feelings towards the club after he handed in his resignation last September is ludicrous.

I too heard about Scolari reducing Clarke's role at the club to what later on became Butch's specialty - an essentially a P.R. man to deal with British media - and probably lower in the coaching pecking order than he was during Mourinho era. While I could understand his frustration I won't go as far as to say Steve deserved more or less of what he's got, he was still under contract and a new manager almost always brings his own staff. If SC was unhappy he could have left in the summer, but since there were no openings he decided to stick around. Once Zola took over at West Spam Steve wanted out even though the season was in full swing.

He didn't care much about CFC when he decided that, did he? I'd welcome him back anytime because of what Clarkey's done for Chelsea and because I believe he's a very good coach but to suggest that he has any right to harbor any ill feelings towards the club after he handed in his resignation last September is ludicrous.

Working on the basis, that as he got more experienced, he got a lesser role at the club, you can see full well why he left for West Ham.

Fact of the matter is, he has been an employee at our club for around 20 years, and really should be held in higher regard than he currently is by a lot of Chelsea fans. I love Zola as much as the next fan, but I also have strong admiration for Clarkey, the way he conducts himself, and I think he has a hell of a lot to give in coaching football. I really hope that someone in the higher ranks of the backroom staff hasn't pissed him off to the point of no return...

I too heard about Scolari reducing Clarke's role at the club to what later on became Butch's specialty - an essentially a P.R. man to deal with British media - and probably lower in the coaching pecking order than he was during Mourinho era. While I could understand his frustration I won't go as far as to say Steve deserved more or less of what he's got, he was still under contract and a new manager almost always brings his own staff. If SC was unhappy he could have left in the summer, but since there were no openings he decided to stick around. Once Zola took over at West Spam Steve wanted out even though the season was in full swing.

He didn't care much about CFC when he decided that, did he? I'd welcome him back anytime because of what Clarkey's done for Chelsea and because I believe he's a very good coach but to suggest that he has any right to harbor any ill feelings towards the club after he handed in his resignation last September is ludicrous.

IF he was as instrumental as it has been suggested about him, and he decided to stay on with a new manager only to have his role that he has exceeded in in the past stripped away from him, and to have nobody come to his defense, then I would complete understand his frustration. I think loyalty toward the club has got to be tough in the face of the suits Roman has brought into the club. The very same ones that, possibly, pushed Jose out.

Im not saying he deserved some kind of sterling position, but he was important to the players and the club. If thats how it went down, I can understand him feeling shafted. And events since have only underlined his importance. I think if Scolari doesnt "demote" him, he probably doesnt jump ship for West Ham.

IF he was as instrumental as it has been suggested about him, and he decided to stay on with a new manager only to have his role that he has exceeded in in the past stripped away from him, and to have nobody come to his defense, then I would complete understand his frustration. I think loyalty toward the club has got to be tough in the face of the suits Roman has brought into the club. The very same ones that, possibly, pushed Jose out.

Im not saying he deserved some kind of sterling position, but he was important to the players and the club. If thats how it went down, I can understand him feeling shafted. And events since have only underlined his importance. I think if Scolari doesnt "demote" him, he probably doesnt jump ship for West Ham.

At the time when Jose was sacked and when Grant got the boot Clarke's name was mentioned in our new possible manager list, in this forum anyway. To go from that to a mediapuppet I understand Clarke totally. He was never comfortable in fron of cameras and most importantly I think he has more ambition than to get demoted.

I think and hope him and Zola will end up at Chelsea one day. Will it be right after this season I don't know. I dont think Steve is bitter or anything he just saw the situation changed and felt he isn't suitable for the role given. They have done absolutely great job at WestHam and I think it is hard to lure them out from there as soon as end of the season.

At the time when Jose was sacked and when Grant got the boot Clarke's name was mentioned in our new possible manager list, in this forum anyway. To go from that to a mediapuppet I understand Clarke totally. He was never comfortable in fron of cameras and most importantly I think he has more ambition than to get demoted.

I think and hope him and Zola will end up at Chelsea one day. Will it be right after this season I don't know. I dont think Steve is bitter or anything he just saw the situation changed and felt he isn't suitable for the role given. They have done absolutely great job at WestHam and I think it is hard to lure them out from there as soon as end of the season.

Completely agree with you. I think if Clarke or Zola and Clarke are offered the job here, and it doesnt conflict with anything they have promised WHU, then I think they take the offer provided they can have the control a manager would expect over things

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.