Wilkins fumes over mystery Chelsea exit
Club legend Wilkins was in the dugout for Wednesday night’s win over Fulham but his 37-year connection with the club — he made his debut as a player in 1973 — came to an abrupt end less than 24 hours later via a brief statement on the official website.
The announcement stated the club had opted not to renew Wilkins’ contract and that he would leave the club immediately.
Wilkins said late last night he was not prepared to comment but said that he has no idea why the club kicked him out of the door with such haste. Wilkins was in no mood to discuss an issue that has left him completely in the dark, although rumours are spreading like wildfire about the reasons behind his surprise departure.
Club insiders are claiming they acted in their best interests by sacking Wilkins, and had good cause to do so.
Apparently, Wilkins was sitting with Carlo Ancelotti in the Cobham (training ground) stand by the touchline watching the reserves, and took a call from chief executive Ron Gourlay at half-time.
It is suggested that Ancelotti was powerless to intervene to prevent the axing of his assistant manager, for whom he had such deep admiration and to whom he gave due credit following Chelsea’s double success last season.
Ancelotti hailed Wilkins in his autobiography, The Beautiful Games of an Ordinary Genius, writing: “Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins ... without him we wouldn’t have won a thing.”
Wilkins, a former Chelsea midfielder, assumed his role of assistant in 2008 when he was appointed as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s number two. He often took up the role of Scolari’s spokesman and was named caretaker boss when the Brazilian was sacked, before reverting to assistant manager under both Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti.
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Ray for everything he has done for Chelsea Football Club. We all wish him well for the future.”
The brevity of that gesture is notable given that only last month the Blues’ used their website to host a lengthy two-part homage to Wilkins’ Chelsea career.
There was also little suggestion, in public at least, that Wilkins’ time at Stamford Bridge was coming to an end. In an interview at the end of last month, the 54-year-old told the club’s website: “I think our league is fantastic and long may it continue. I still get excited about a game, like I did 37 years ago, and I will keep doing so.”
Wilkins remains a hugely popular figure amongst the team’s followers and the appointment of a figure with a similar stature would go some way to dulling their disappointment.
Gianfranco Zola is currently out of work following his sacking as West Ham boss and although an assistant’s job would be a step down, he spent some of the best years of his career with Chelsea and is held in the highest esteem by supporters.
Like Wilkins he speaks both languages and may be tempted by a job that could put him in line to be Ancelotti’s eventual successor.
Other names sure to be given an airing include former Blues assistant Steve Clarke, who followed Zola out of Upton Park earlier this year and worked as Jose Mourinho’s deputy at Stamford Bridge, Brighton manager Gus Poyet — like Zola a former Chelsea player, and Paolo Maldini — a stalwart of Ancelotti’s Milan years.
Wilkins captained Chelsea at 18 and spent six years with the club before enjoying spells with Manchester United, AC Milan and QPR among others. He returned as part of Gianluca Vialli’s backroom team before the Italian was dismissed in 2000 and rejoined to work under Scolari in 2008.
When the Brazilian left the following year he briefly took over as a caretaker boss and stayed to serve interim manager Guus Hiddink and Ancelotti.
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