Soccer: Ranieri’s future on the line
Defeat for Chelsea in the FA Cup third-round tie between the sides at Vicarage Road would once again put Ranieri’s future in doubt, with England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson reportedly lined up to replace him.
But Lewington reckons the Italian would know real pressure if he had to cope with running a club kept alive only because its players and staff are deferring 12% of their wages.
The Hornets manager said: “Chelsea have a chance of winning everything this year but everyone is constantly talking about Ranieri being dismissed. After every defeat there’s speculation about his job.
“I feel sorry for him, I really do. The speculation about him is unfair. He’s got this thing with Eriksson in the background and he can’t shake it off.
“Every game they play he’s thinking if he slips up there will be headlines on Monday morning because Chelsea are expected to beat everyone they play. I think he’s used to it.
“But I’m still envious of him. Any manager would love to be where he is and I’d like a 10th of his money. The pressure here is greater. He’s had a lot to spend and he’s spent it wisely. But the pressure is huge when you’re bottom of the table with no money.”
Lewington has been there on more than one occasion. As manager of Fulham before Mohamed Al Fayed’s arrival, his wife had to wash the squad’s kit because money was so tight. Things are not much better at Watford, where he has been forced to trim £4million off the wage bill and sell off key players to stay afloat.
It is all a far cry from the millions spent by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge.
Lewington said: “Here we’ve got used to living within our means.
“The chairman’s very strict with what we can and can’t do.
“I would say 60% of our conversations are about money.” Lewington describes the prospect of facing Chelsea’s aristocrats as “frightening” after his Watford side were outclassed 4-1 in a pre-season friendly against them.
He said: “They were 3-0 up inside 20 minutes and had hit the post twice.
“You take for granted how good they are when you see them on TV. It’s only when you see it first hand you realise how well they move the ball around. Everywhere you look they’ve got players who can turn the game with a bit of individual flair.
“But that was a nice summer’s evening on a perfect pitch. This will be a good old-fashioned January cup tie on a terrible surface. Even my players are complaining about it.”
Lewington is convinced Chelsea will field their strongest side because the competition provides Ranieri with a chance to repay Abramovich’s massive investment with a trophy.
He said: “They have to win something this year. If Ranieri wins nothing else except the FA Cup he’s still done something, so they’ll take it seriously.”
Lewington was once a player and later a coach at Chelsea, and he admits the prospect of facing his old club will test some family loyalties. He said: “They’re all Chelsea supporters but they say their on my side.
“There might be one or two who are secretly rooting for Chelsea. They’re all sitting in the Watford section so they’d better be careful!”
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