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Lampard: AVB’s job might rest on CL win

Comment: 0 September 13th, 2011 by: admin

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard recently commented that Andre Villas-boas’ stay as Chelsea manager might be cut short if he fails to win the Champions League silverware.

According to the player, inability to claim CL victory – a feat unrepeated since 2008 – was one of the main reasons why AVB predecessor Carlo Ancelotti was unceremoniously axed the previous season.

Lampard cited that club owner Roman Abramovich puts heavy priority on Champions League domination, and it was for this reason that massive amounts were dispensed for high-profile players like Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and David Luiz were brought in.

‘I don’t know if it is as cut-and-dried as managers losing their jobs for not winning the Champions League, said Lampard, ‘obviously it’s something that the owner wants.

‘I wouldn’t say that’s the only reason managers have been sacked, but the pressure is cranked up.’

Announcement of Villas-boas’ assignment as Blues manager a few months back was followed by questions of his ability to successfully satisfy Abramovich’s craving for trophies.

At the time, general consensus pointed at his stay as club manager depending on his ability to deliver the silverware Ancelotti failed to claim.

‘When you’ve had a lot of domestic success, it’s not just the owner but the club and the fans, you want that extra step – to win in Europe,’ said Lampard. ‘As a club with what we’ve achieved in the last six or seven years, it’s an obvious thing to say, the one thing that’s missing from our cabinet is the Champions League.’

Asked whether or not his fate might actually be decided by Chelsea’s performance in the Champions League, AVB waved off the notion.

‘We’re always confident, but we just have to focus,’ he said.

‘Our time will eventually come.  We just have to focus on making it one of our objectives, as it has been for the past seasons.

‘I don’t think I’ll be judged on how I do [in the Champions League].  I don’t think so.’

The Blues’ performance has as of recently been coupled with criticism mostly for Fernando Torres.  And despite defensive statements on the striker’s behalf, AVB had recently relegated the striker to the substitute’s bench.

The newest issue relating to the striker involves off-the-field conduct.  Reports indicate Torres is a reprimand from AVB for accusing his team mates for being ‘old’ and ‘slow’ during a Spanish interview.

‘We are going in-depth to regain the tape of that interview,’ Villas-boas told reporters.  ‘He says he didn’t say that.  We will see if things play exactly as they are in that interview.’

 

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