Roman Abramovich

Mancini not afraid despite Champions League exit

Manchester: If Manchester City's Abu Dhabi owners were as ruthless as Chelsea's Russian billionaire boss Roman Abramovich, then City coach Roberto Mancini would already be out a job following his side's elimination from the Champions League. Abramovich wasted no time on Wednesday sacking Italian Roberto Di Matteo three months after he led them to their greatest night by lifting the European Cup in Munich.

Di Matteo's crime, besides never being Abramovich's first choice as coach, was that Chelsea had hit a blip with two wins out of eight games in all competitions. Their 3-0 defeat at Juventus on Tuesday leaves their qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League hanging by a thread and out of their own hands.

By contrast, Manchester City's exit from the Champions League at the group stage for the second successive season represents poor return for the hundreds of millions of pounds invested in the club since Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan bought it, and could be regarded as a far greater failure.

Mancini, who guided City to their first English league title for 44 years last May, has failed to inspire a victory in any of their five Champions League matches this season, and with three points from three draws, City will either finish bottom or third in the group....more    

Di Matteo silent on Chelsea future after Munich

Munich: After leading Chelsea to the biggest trophy in club football, Roberto di Matteo's future as manager of the London club is still in doubt. Di Matteo had a conversation with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich after the team's penalty shoot-out win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final on Saturday, but he would not disclose what he discussed with the Russian billionaire. "What was discussed with the boss we...  

Chelsea have to start again, admits Mata

London: Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata believes that the west London side "have to start again" following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas in order to salvage their season. The Portuguese manager was shown the door with just nine months at Stamford Bridge under his belt after Saturdays 1-0 defeat against West Brom. With former assistant Roberto Di Matteo being promoted into the 34-year-olds position, Mata now believes that it is time...  

Who next for Chelsea? - Possible Contenders

London: Arguably the hottest of hot seats in soccer is vacant yet again after Chelsea's ruthless Russian owner Roman Abramovich removed Andre Villas-Boas on Sunday. The callow Portuguese lasted just 256 days at Stamford Bridge before "the project", as he usually referred to the task of revitalising the west London club's ageing squad, was aborted. The 34-year-old became the sixth coach to be axed since the Russian oligarch bought the...  

Chelsea 'embarrassment' to EPL: Managers' chief

London: Chelsea have become a "serious embarrassment" to the Premier League after firing Andre Villas-Boas just eight months in his reign, the head of England's League Managers' Association said on Monday. Dumping the inexperienced 34-year-old Villas-Boas after only 40 games in charge on Sunday left owner Roman Abramovich searching for his eighth manager since buying Chelsea nine years ago. The instability and uncertainty surrounding Chelsea this season has seen the...  

A raw deal for Villas-Boas at Chelsea

Good grief! Andre Villas-Boas has been sacked by the autocratic Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. It's sad that things have come to such a pretty pass in such a short time. The poor man couldn't hold his job for a little more than eight months. The news is saddening, though not surprising at all. The signs were there when there was no public backing for the manager. Villas-Boas kept pleading Abramovich...  

Don't need all players to back me: Villas-Boas

London: Under-fire Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas declared he doesn't need the support of the entire squad as long as he is backed by owner Roman Abramovich. A 2-0 loss at Everton on Saturday left Chelsea fifth in the Premier League and out of the Champions League qualification places. Villas-Boas hauled his under-performing players into the training ground on their day off on Sunday to discuss the team's misfortunes. Questioned on...  

Chelsea reveal hiring Villas-Boas cost $45m

London: Chelsea spent 28 million Pounds on firing manager Carlo Ancelotti and hiring Andre Villas-Boas, an outlay that does not appear to be paying off with the team performing worse in the English Premier League this season. Ancelotti was ditched in May after failing to win a trophy in his second season at Stamford Bridge, prompting owner Roman Abramovich to take a costly gamble on luring the inexperienced Villas-Boas from...  

Chelsea to have Hiddink, Advocaat to take Russia reins

Hiddink is currently at Stamford Bridge on a fixed, short-term deal. ...  

Chelsea owner personally sacked Scolari: Spokesman

Big Phil's spokesman is pointing the finger squarely at Chelsea's owner. ...  

Chelsea boot out manager Grant after eight months

Pune Warriors have just pride to play for, while Kolkata Knight Riders have the opportunity to move to 21 points and with it the top spot on the IPL 5 points table, and if they hold onto it – for this, Delhi Daredevils must lose their final match – it will give them a second chance of making the final if they lose the Qualifier. Apart from this, this clash...