Chelsea have seen plenty of managerial upheaval over the years, from Didier Drogba’s issues with Luiz Felipe Scolari to Mauricio Pochettino’s controversial exit. Big names like Avram Grant, Jose Mourinho (twice), and Roberto Di Matteo also had dramatic departures.
One of the most turbulent spells came during Andre Villas-Boas’ tenure. Speaking to Stadium Astro, former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel shed light on how the squad played a key role in getting Villas-Boas sacked.
Villas-Boas’ Mistake: Benching Chelsea’s Core Players
According to Mikel, Villas-Boas upset the dressing room by immediately sidelining key players like Frank Lampard and John Terry without explanation. His approach created tension and resistance among the squad.
“He came in with a big ego and wanted to be the main man,” Mikel recalled. “You don’t come in and say, ‘Frank, you’re out. JT, you’re out.’ You need those guys to be there. AVB didn’t do that.”
Players Knew How to Force a Manager Out
Mikel revealed that the Chelsea squad understood how to influence managerial decisions at the club, especially under owner Roman Abramovich.
“We knew how to get managers to leave,” Mikel admitted. “For us, it was easy—just lose a few games and call the owner. For Roman, we were the most important people at the club, and that’s how it should be. The players have to be happy.”
Chelsea’s Turnaround After Villas-Boas’ Exit
Despite the controversy, Chelsea’s decision to sack Villas-Boas proved to be a masterstroke. Roberto Di Matteo took over and led the club to an unforgettable Champions League and FA Cup double in 2012.
Di Matteo’s reign was short-lived—he was dismissed months later—but he made history by guiding Chelsea to their first-ever Champions League triumph.
As for Villas-Boas, his struggles continued. After leaving Chelsea, he took charge at Tottenham but was sacked after just 18 months.
Chelsea’s managerial history is full of drama, but the Villas-Boas era stands out as one of the most toxic, with the players ultimately having the final say in his fate.
