Arsenal

Divorce On The Cards At Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs or Chelsea?

As the dust settles on the royal wedding, and the world begins to watch William and Kate beginning to settle down as husband and wife, attention also turns firmly back towards the Premier League. With the season drawing to a climax, we begin to look to…

by
Football Friends
May 5, 2011

Carlo Ancelotti and Roman Abramovich:

Given the recent history of Chelsea’s owner and his regular changing of manager, the two seasons of Ancelotti has been something of a commitment for the Russian. However, Chelsea’s alarming mid-season slump could yet undo the Italian’s work to secure the double last season. While the champions have re-grouped to put themselves in a strong position with three games to go, with an ageing squad and a very realistic chance of a potless season, and with the owner still craving Champions League glory, Abramovich’s rebuild could well begin with the termination of his and Carlo’s matrimony.

Mystic Dan predicts: Divorce.

Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy:

Liverpool’s victory over Newcastle saw them leapfrog Tottenham into fifth, who slipped to defeat to Chelsea and later saw Manchester City take another giant stride towards fourth with victory over West Ham, thus making it increasingly unlikely that Spurs will get another seat at Europe’s top table next season. While this has led to the inevitable rumours of summer departures from White Hart Lane, Redknapp’s response will only add further fuel to the fire, the Spurs boss quoted as saying “If you start thinking about selling your best players you might as well give up. What’s the point in carrying on?” While Redknapp’s seemingly hypothetical words have of course been taken as ‘Arry’s letter of resignation, having distanced himself from links with Chelsea, it is unlikely Redknapp will find another post at this level of club management, at least in the short-term, and with the England job seemingly his following Fabio Capello’s planned departure next year, expect to see Harry in the Spurs dugout, for now.

Mystic Dan predicts: Give it a year.

Arsene Wenger and Stan Kroenke:

With what looks like a sixth trophyless season for Arsenal, criticism mounted towards Arsene Wenger’s methods and the subsequent lack of silverware. While the system of play remains undoubted and the youth system still widely praised, as cobwebs continue to grow in the trophy cabinet, the fans’ patience continues to wane. Under the current regime, Wenger would appear to have a job for life, the board seemingly clinging to the memories of Wenger’s previous success, allowing Wenger to continue his quest to build a squad of obscure young talent and turn them into a well-oiled footballing machine. However, with Stan Kroenke increasing his stake in the club, a change in policy could be imminent. While Wenger’s ability as a coach is still unquestioned, in the long-term, his stubbornness may well become his downfall.

Mystic Dan predicts: We need to talk.

Avram Grant and David Gold/ David Sullivan:

Oh dear. This one really doesn’t look good. The Hammers sit bottom with three matches remaining. While the points column suggests their season is not irretrievable, five consecutive league defeats have seen even the club’s owners refusing to travel to the Hammers’ defeat at Manchester City, deciding that donating their travel expenses to charity was a better idea than sitting through another dire performance. That surely in itself carries a message as ominous as a vote of confidence.

Mystic Dan predicts: Avram, your bags are by the door.

Kenny Dalglish and John W. Henry:

With the turmoil of recent years at Anfield, Liverpool plummeting from League runners-up in 2009 to seventh place just two years later. With boardroom duels showing more passion than on-field battles, the club appeared to be in meltdown. Fast-forward a few months, with Rafa Benitez gone, his successor, Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated reign ended, John W. Henry’s takeover complete and the return of King Kenny, this, combined with a re-shuffle of the squad, has seen Liverpool climb back up the league table. While next season may not see the return of champions league football to Anfield just yet, expect to see Dalglish put pen to paper this summer.