Ten Cate

[mad_mac]

Ok,

I was chatting with a mate of mine about the general state of affairs at Chelsea, and we eventually got round to talking about Ten Cate. My question to him (and therefore to you) was "why would he leave the top position at Ajax, to come and play second fiddle at Chelsea?"

Our hypothesis was that he is here learning the team and the premiership, and will be given more of a role next season with Grant retiring to a more "Director of Football" role within the club, once again. We needed someone to replace Jose, and it made sense to just have Grant fill that role. But, why then take Cate to the club?

Also, with Terry's comments akin to "Clarke and Cate will be giving the lads a good talking to" at half time in the scum match, before quickly adding "oh, and the gaffer." It seems like Cate is the man with more command of the dressing room that Grant is. Again, this is pure speculation as we really don't know who says what, but these are still questions unanswered

Ajax is known for it's youth development, so is Cate playing some role in that? Was the signing of Di santo actually a Cate signing, and he will develop some potential youth players into first team candidates for grant to mull over?

i really don't know the answers to these questions, so i am asking anyone for their opinions. I know that the club gave Grant a 4 year contract, but that could surely be a 4 year contract at the club, not just a 4 year contract as Head Coach.

So, does next season see is starting with Grant as director of football, and Cate as our new manager? Ajax are a club with a rich European pedigree, and I think bringing in Cate as second fiddle from such a club doesn't make sense. Unless of course, Cate is a managerial mercenary

Scott

[Guest Brian M]

Yes I believe we'll bump Mr. Black up stairs at the end of the season. But I believe it'll be Frank Rijkaard brought in. And Ten Pin Bowling will be his #2 again.

[blizeH]

Nice post. I think my take on it would be all of the outcomes you mentioned sound good to me, but I'm also happy with the current set-up, and think Clarke and ten Cate are both brilliant assets to the club. It'd also be nice if, like you said, ten Cate brings a few more bright youthful players for the future too.

[Chippy]

It's been said that Cate is a good no2 but not so good as manager so I doubt he will be promoted and I think the set up now is fine,

I dont see any reason for Grant not to be given a full season and transfer window to see if he can do the job, the signs are he can and I would imagine Abramovich is reasonably happy so far,

I dont think Abramovich would be too worried about the odd draw and couple of defeats as I doubt he thought we would be challenging for the title this term after what has happened, I think he gave Grant a chance to steady things and has probobly been pleasantly surprised that we are still in the hunt for everything as far fetched as the reality is, its nice to be challenging.

[Elliott]

I think it's difficult to say whether we will end up with either of the current coaches in charge full time, or if we will bring in a big name, but i certainly get the impression that Henk is not an altogether easy man to get on with.

Reports that i read at the time of signing him, stated that he was very outspoken, and that not all players would agree with his attitude.

However, on the flip side, alot of Barca players recognise him as being the man who guided them to their best ever football in 2007. Not Mr Spitty.

[evissy]

Yes I believe we'll bump Mr. Black up stairs at the end of the season. But I believe it'll be Frank Rijkaard brought in. And Ten Pin Bowling will be his #2 again.

I don't think so and I don't hope so.. I think ten cate is good enough to work as number one. I hope Avram takes his place as the director of football and TenCate+Clarke will be the managing duo just like Mad_mac was speculating.

We could also bring in Zola or some other Chelsea legend to give their face and their influence to the club. I somehow like the way Spuds have Gus as their face. Young and upcoming lad with familiar face.

Our face at the moment is Grant's, so do I need to say more.

[Chippy]

Yes I believe we'll bump Mr. Black up stairs at the end of the season. But I believe it'll be Frank Rijkaard brought in. And Ten Pin Bowling will be his #2 again.

I don't think so and I don't hope so.. I think ten cate is good enough to work as number one. I hope Avram takes his place as the director of football and TenCate+Clarke will be the managing duo just like Mad_mac was speculating.

We could also bring in Zola or some other Chelsea legend to give their face and their influence to the club. I somehow like the way Spuds have Gus as their face. Young and upcoming lad with familiar face.

Our face at the moment is Grant's, so do I need to say more.

Just interested to know why you think Ten Cate is good enough to be our no 1?

he never done very well in his last attempt and Grants record as manager is probobly better than his,

add to that Grant is our manager and has been for five months so is gradually getting to know the players and what he can expect from them

while planning his approach for next season and I really cant see a change for the sake of it,

another person not liking Grants face

maybe we could get Brad Pitt in to be the face for the press, that should make us play better

[evissy]

Yes I believe we'll bump Mr. Black up stairs at the end of the season. But I believe it'll be Frank Rijkaard brought in. And Ten Pin Bowling will be his #2 again.

I don't think so and I don't hope so.. I think ten cate is good enough to work as number one. I hope Avram takes his place as the director of football and TenCate+Clarke will be the managing duo just like Mad_mac was speculating.

We could also bring in Zola or some other Chelsea legend to give their face and their influence to the club. I somehow like the way Spuds have Gus as their face. Young and upcoming lad with familiar face.

Our face at the moment is Grant's, so do I need to say more.

Just interested to know why you think Ten Cate is good enough to be our no 1?

he never done very well in his last attempt and Grants record as manager is probobly better than his,

add to that Grant is our manager and has been for five months so is gradually getting to know the players and what he can expect from them

while planning his approach for next season and I really cant see a change for the sake of it,

another person not liking Grants face

maybe we could get Brad Pitt in to be the face for the press, that should make us play better

haha. I knew someone is going to comment on that face thing. I dont want to emphasize that too much. Just said I like the way Spuds use Gus as their face. Well do you like Grants face Chippy ? That is a secondary thing but improvement is always welcomed in every department...

He did well with Ajax and he was great sidekick for Rijkaard. Allegedly he was the brains behind Barca's game(looking things with blue tinted glasses of course) ..

Grant has been great so far but he really seems to lack that one small quality that will turn big games for us. Okay it is maybe still too early to criticize him for that but it is 0/3 this season(loss to Manure, Ars*nal and not win against sorry Lpool) against big 3 teams.

Remember how our playing style looked like Mourinho. You could tell it is Mourinho's team just by looking how determined the players look and how well the defence was organized. Now, there is not such a strong image of us being Grants team.

By saying this I dont mean that lack of character means you cant win and actually I do think Avram has character. He just looks and sounds more of the director type. He is more of a diplomat.

Ten Cate again looks like he has that spark in his eye and could give the team great spirit.

Just by looking at statistics maybe Grant and TenCate are evenly matched but something says that TenCate looks more like our manager than Avram.

[Chelsea FC Champions]

i can recall that ryan babel said that ten cate is a very strict+good coach....but i hope ten cate can teach us how to attack rather than defend

[Maksimov]

Ottmar Hitzfeld hasn't signed a new contract with Bayern München and has declared he won't be at the club next season, so he could be signed for free. Very experienced manager who has won the Champions League with two different clubs, so I wouldn't be surprised if Chelsea had already asked him to become the club's next manager.

[BLUENUT]

Who ever it is will have to put up with a 'hands on' owner.

Back to the subject: I think it's difficult to tell who is calling the shots. Clarke and Cate don't speak to the press, the only mouth-piece is Grant. Neil Barnett is no longer allowed to be 'The Spy' at the training ground, it's like a well kept secret.

Who know's what goes on behind the scenes? I just haven't heard anywhere about Grant - the manager, taking a training session or working on particular aspects in training.

Clarke and Cate have been mentioned as giving the 'hairdryer' treatment at half-time so who knows who really does what?

The only problem with a 3 pronged managerial set-up is when the players look for leadership in important matches or when there is a problem, who do they turn to? Who do they (the players) consider to be their leader?

[Maksimov]

I just haven't heard anywhere about Grant - the manager, taking a training session or working on particular aspects in training.

I've got the impression that Grant is the sort of manager who doesn't take part in the training sessions. I've understood he's more of an observer and lets the coaches lead the training sessions.

[Nibs]

Yes I believe we'll bump Mr. Black up stairs at the end of the season. But I believe it'll be Frank Rijkaard brought in. And Ten Pin Bowling will be his #2 again.

You seem to be a bit obsessed with Gobber Rijkaard Brian.

I think (and hope) you're completely wrong on this one.

[Maksimov]

Rijkaard? I'm sure he'd be a big hit at Chelsea.

[BLUENUT]

I just haven't heard anywhere about Grant - the manager, taking a training session or working on particular aspects in training.

I've got the impression that Grant is the sort of manager who doesn't take part in the training sessions. I've understood he's more of an observer and lets the coaches lead the training sessions.

What about 1/2 time team talks, does he observe those aswell?

like I say, I'm not really sure who does what but Grant doesn't strike me as a strong leader/general type.

It seems to be running smoothly except when we come up against a side who have the measure of us and tactical decisions need to be made (Villa, Liverpool, Everton) we seem to dwell on things, this is where you look towards the bench and the manager.

[BLUENUT]

Rijkaard? I'm sure he'd be a big hit at Chelsea.

Doncha mean big spit

[Maksimov]

Rijkaard? I'm sure he'd be a big hit at Chelsea.

Doncha mean big spit

Yes, the word should start with the letter 's', but otherwise I stand by my previous comment.