What does a man need to do to assert his place in life? Be successful, seek new ways to improve, learn from your mistakes and never let people take you for granted. Roberto Di Mateo (RDM) shares a lot of similarities with the messiah. He took over the club when Chelsea had lost all hope of champions league qualification, their premier league form was in a dip and morale among back room staff and players was at its lowest ebbs. The first of a string of successful results came in the return leg of the champions league round of 32 leg games which Chelsea won after an inspiring performance at the bridge to clinch a famous 4-2 victory over Napoli. Lampard seemed invigorated, Mikel was producing outstanding displays in defensive midfield, Ramirez was running around like a man on drugs and the rest of the Chelsea old warriors suddenly seemed like a bunch of inspired young men willing to give their all on the pitch. All thanks to the tactical abilities of RDM and his tremendous man-management at the club. Chelsea went on to win the champions league (the first time in their history) and to take home the FA Cup trophy in style. 
Everyone was happy and content, suddenly it seemed like the man for the job had arrived, only he had been there all the while for the taking. Chelsea fans were excited at the prospects of the new season especially after the signing of young ball playing recruits like Hazard, Marin, Oscar and Moses to team up with Torres and Mata. Older players like Bosingwa, Malouda, Lampard, etc. were gradually phased out and a new generation of football style with the right blend of players was created at the bridge. I sniffed trouble when contract talks with RDM were delayed before the season began. You would expect every right thinking owner of a huge club like Chelsea to thank RDM with at least a three year contract. But alas! Abrahimovich offered him a one year contract which he refused and when August came by he was offered a two year contract. A string of attacking football and results followed, and the new recruits seemed to be justifying the heavy price tag they had cost the oil billionaire from Russia. But like the popular saying goes “the grass isn’t always green”. Every football club has a period when it experiences a slump in form, what is important is how this slump is quickly managed and the club returns to winning ways in no time. It’s the character that successful clubs in Europe like Juventus, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Barcelona are made of. A few bad results of late and RDM has been sacrificed on the cross of Abrahimovich’s infamous lack of patience. A few suspected reasons are that RDM does not inspire confidence from the bench; they claim that unlike some managers whose sideline attitude inspire a tenacious winning spirit, RDM is not one of such managers as he sits or stand on the sidelines without gesticulating like a frustrated man at the referee or shouting and making complaints to the fourth official. They also complain that Chelsea’s defense has looked shaky in recent times and have not been confident when coming from a goal(s) down to take home the three points. None of this was said last season when the sun was shining every game day on the Bridge, RDM could do no wrong.
To solve all their problems they bring in Rafa Benitez who is the master of inconsistency; Guiding Segunda division side Extremadura back to the Primera Division in 1997 only for them to be relegated the following season, Securing a La Liga crown with Valencia in 2002 with a seven point margin over second place finishers Depotivo La Coruna but finished 5th in the league the following season. Winning the Champions league in 2004 but unable to replicate same form in the league with his best premier league finish being a 2ndplace finish in the 2008/2009 season which was followed with a poor run in the season of 2009/10 when Liverpool finished 7th in the league, he made lots of poor transfer choices top of which was selling Xabi Alonso to Liverpool and replacing him with Aquilani, bringing in players below the class of Liverpool like Ryan Babel, Andriy Voronin, Christian Poulsen,etc. he was also famous for the rifts he created between himself and his bosses which led to his loss of job at Valencia, Liverpool and Inter Milan. It would be interesting to football neutrals to watch how the relationship between Benitez and Abrahimovich will pan out all things considered with his first real test coming this weekend against Manchester City.
RDM brought outstanding success to Chelsea, he is the reason why the club declared a profit for the first time since Abrahimovich bought the club, and he commanded the respect of his players, brought cohesion to the team as a unit and set the wheels in motion for what is going to be one the most potent attacking football formation in Europe. It is sad to see that results and trophies no longer guarantee a coach his job, but the antics and mood of the owner of the club does. Success and trophies in football are not conjured up by just money and sack letters alone, it takes time, consistency, good man management and grit. Good luck RDM and I hope your next job gives you the consistency and support you need to be the great coach you can be !!!
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