King’s Road to Nowhere?

Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking at the weekend didn’t just leave fans of other clubs perplexed, but from what my Chelsea supporting mates have said, it’s left them feeling a little uneasy as well.

Winning silverware since Roman Abramovich’s take over as owner has been great for the west end boys, but the fans know their team is still living in the shadows of Manchester United, Liverpool and even fellow Londoners, Arsenal.

Liverpool might not be having a great time of it at the moment, but they can point to the boot room dynasties overseen by Paisley and Shankly. Arsenal, despite a few 'trophyless' years, have been consistent and classy under Wenger. While Manchester United fans can point to the golden years under Busby and the current renaissance under Ferguson.

But what about Chelsea?

They have bought some wonderful footballers since Abramovich’s arrival – of that there’s no doubt. They’ve won titles and cups as well, but, for me, they aren’t yet a team you’ll look back on in twenty years and remember as one of the greatest. They haven’t got the footballing X-Factor.

Abramovich doesn’t seem intent on building a dynasty – he appears to be after glory quickly rather than creating the foundations for a footballing legacy and I think that’s a worry for a lot of Chelsea fans.

The Russian might have a pot load of readies, but he needs to appoint a manager and give him time. The same sort of time that Busby, Shankly, Paisley, Ferguson and Wenger have had. The manager of any really great club needs to have the unwavering support of its owner or its board and a lack of interference in footballing matters.

Abramovich apparently has an obsession with winning the Champions League. But what if the next manager fails to bring him what he craves? Will he be out of the door as quickly as Ancelotti or will winning the FA Cup be enough to give him another six months or so at the helm?

Of course the other question is: How much longer will Abramovich hang around if his dream fails to materialize? What then? Maybe the punters at Stamford Bridge are too afraid to be too vocally critical of the owner in case he up sticks and walks, taking his billions with him. And would there be another sugar daddy to take his place in these austere times? Sure, there’ll always be someone to step in and buy a club of Chelsea’s admitted stature, but someone with the same deep pockets?

I fear that until Abramovich learns a little patience and starts planning for the longer term instead of looking for instant success, the soap opera in the King’s Road is set to run for another season or two. Then again, someone who has the ability to turn himself into a multi-billionaire overnight (however it may have been done) may not feel patience is a virtue that suits him.