Sven and the FA

More likely it means that Abramovich has to pay the FA £10m rather than £2m (or whatever) if Sven takes the Chelsea job in the Summer. Possibly he might have given Sven some assurances that this is not likely to be an issue.

I still think if England do well in Euro 2004 (ie. at least a semi-final) he will stay and try to win the WC in 2006. If England do badly I think he will be at Chelsea next season.

Matthew

I think Sven is likely to got Chelsea regardless of Euro 2004. Probably because of FA machinations more than anything else.

For Chelsea this era will turn out to be an example of how not to transform a club by throwing money at it and removing a manager on the cusp of achieving something really great. Patrick Barclay in The Telegraph hit the nail on the head when he compared the situation to that at Internazionale or Barcelona. Constantly changing coaches, buying individuals does not lead to the formation of a winning team.

Although recently Real Madrid seem to doing quite well by just buying individual star players, ignoring their defence almost completely and avoid constantly changing coaches by appointing a figurehead coach who does little more than organise the training sessions.

"Probably because of FA machinations more than anything else"

I think in fairness Sven is the one who has been "machinating". The FA have just tried to keep their man and the issue of a contract extention only came up becuase he was seen popping round to Ambramovich's for afternoon tea.

Matthew

One things for sure, I don't think money will influence his decision...