10 years of Roman: a look at managers

We (London24.com) take a look at the managers appointed by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich during the Russian’s 10-year reign at Stamford Bridge.Abramovich has gained a reputation for ruthlessly axing past Chelsea bosses, with nine men taking the hot seat in the last 10 years.
CLAUDIO RANIERI September 15, 2000 to May 31, 2004.
Replaced fellow Italian Gianluca Vialli at Chelsea after spells at Atletico Madrid and Valencia. Promoted John Terry up the defensive order and signed Frank Lampard for £11million from West Ham. Oversaw the transition to the Abramovich era, but reaching the 2004 Champions League semi-finals was not enough to keep his job after one season of the Russian’s rule.
JOSE MOURINHO June 2, 2004 – September 20, 2007
After lifting the Europa League and Champions League in successive seasons from Porto, Mourinho arrived declaring himself to be ‘The Special One’. He became the most successful manager in Chelsea’s history, delivering a first championship in 50 years before retaining the Premier League title. Also won both domestic cups and reached three Champions League semi-finals before his acrimonious departure after disagreements with Abramovich and the hierarchy.
AVRAM GRANT September 20, 2007 – May 24, 2008
The Israeli’s arrival as director of football in July 2007 upset Mourinho and was a contributing factor in the Portuguese’s departure. The Blues exited the FA Cup to Barnsley, but Grant led them to the 2008 Champions League final, going one better than Mourinho. Terry slipped in the penalty shootout in torrential rain in Moscow as Manchester United triumphed in Grant’s final match in charge.
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI June 11, 2008 – February 9, 2009
The World Cup-winning Brazil coach’s Stamford Bridge appointment was announced while he was still in charge of Portugal, at Euro 2008. He made one permanent signing – Portugal playmaker Deco – and missed out on Robinho, while also presiding over the end of Chelsea’s 86-game unbeaten league run at home. His largely unhappy tenure lasted 244 days.
GUUS HIDDINK February 11, 2009 – May 30, 2009
Drafted in on loan from Russia, where he was coaching the national team, the Dutchman led Chelsea in 22 games and suffered one defeat, to Tottenham. There was also a highly controversial away-goals loss to Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. Andres Iniesta scored in stoppage-time after several Blues penalty appeals were turned down. Finished the season with silverware after a FA Cup final defeat of Everton.
CARLO ANCELOTTI June 1, 2009 – May 22, 2011
After eight years and two Champions League titles at AC Milan, Ancelotti arrived tasked with bringing European Cup success to Stamford Bridge. Mourinho’s Inter Milan ended the Champions League run but Ancelotti did deliver a first Premier League title since 2006 in his first season. A week later the FA Cup – and Chelsea’s first double – was won. His second season was not quite so successful and he departed after the final game at Everton.
ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS June 22, 2011 – March 4, 2012
Following the route taken by Mourinho, with whom he worked at Chelsea, Villas-Boas was appointed after a season at Porto and four trophies, including the Europa League, without losing a game. He was tasked with overhauling the Blues, but despite his age – he was 33 when appointed – time was not on his side amid reports of a dressing room coup. With the Blues outside the Champions League qualifying places, Villas-Boas departed.
ROBERTO DI MATTEO March 4, 2012 – November 21, 2012
Initially appointed on an interim basis, the Italian former Chelsea midfielder earned a two-year permanent contract in June 2012 after delivering the Blues’ first Champions League victory with a final defeat of Bayern Munich on their own ground. The win came a few weeks after lifting the FA Cup. Di Matteo’s time was up when Chelsea lost at Juventus, pushing them towards becoming the first holders to exit at the group stages of the Champions League.
RAFAEL BENITEZ November 21, 2012 – May 28, 2013
Unpopular from the start due to his prior association with Liverpool, the Spaniard spoke often about “transition”. Only after his February plea at Middlesbrough for fans to back the team, rather than barrack him, did Chelsea develop some consistency. They began the season in contention for seven trophies, but finished it by winning the unexpected eighth, the Europa League in Amsterdam. Benitez also guided the Blues back into the Champions League before leaving for Napoli.
JOSE MOURINHO June 3, 2013 – present
After an absence of almost six years, the Portuguese returned as ‘The Happy One’ following spells as manager of Inter Milan, with whom he won the Champions League for a second time, and Real Madrid.