I know what you're thinking. 1. You don't want to revisit that wretched night in Moscow. 2. You don't want to revisit that wretched night in Moscow. However, we're going to, not just because we have a final coming up in three days and change but also because, dammit, it's time we extinguish this nightmare from the memory once and for all.

It is a known fact that Roman Abramovich goes into panic mode when his Chelsea team stumbles either in the Premier League or in the Champions League. He has done so in numerous occasions during his ownership of the Blues. With the inevitable departure of Andre Villas Boas, Roberto Di Matteo was entrusted with the task of seeing the current Chelsea players through the season.

5 Reasons Mick McCarthy Will Be The Next Chelsea Manager - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Following the sacking of Andres Villas-Boas, managers of the calibre of Jose Mourinho, Luciano Spalletti and Guus Hiddink have been touted as the next Chelsea manager.

But, what Stamford Bridge needs is a real shake-up.

Andres Villas-Boas is out as Chelsea manager.

The under-fire manager was dumped after Chelsea's loss to West Brom on Saturday, a defeat that dropped Chelsea to fifth place in the Premier League, in real danger of missing out on qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Photo: Earl Gardner

Philadelphia Union

Look for player ratings, analysis and a photo essay from the weekend's 1–1 draw with Orlando City later today.

More local reports on the daraw from Reeves' Army, a photo essay from knightnews.com, and this TV report from wftv.com 9.

Nizar Khalfan has been called up for the Tanzanian National Team's friendly against Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday ahead of Tanzania's 2013 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Mozambique on Feb.

Over the past several, oh, thousand years, there have been a serious of minor skirmishes in the Middle East, along with lots of "I don't like you." and "You're a stupid head." being flung back and forth.

It's no secret that Iran and Israel aren't exactly cuddle buddies. And it does occasionally seep into the footballing world, despite being a part of different federations such as the case with Ashkan Dejagah.

Andre Villas-Boas, new to London, new to Chelsea, new to the English Premiership and, to some degree, new to football management. Having been a professional football manager for only a handful of years and, considering his relatively youthful age (in comparison to others in the same profession), yet to experience any serious issues the Chelsea manager is on course for one now.

Chesea used to make an easy dinner out of trips to places like Norwich. They would travel, feast, fill themselves up and return to London with 3 points in the bag. What was once an easy task has now become a stressful endeavour. Chelsea travel to grounds like Carrow Road hoping for 3 points rather than expecting them.

Avram Grant takes over at Serbian champions Partizan

Avram Grant has taken many pundits by surprise by joining Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade as coach from today.

With fifteen games played so far this season in the Jelen SuperLiga, Partizan have a ten point lead over arch rivals Crvena Zvezda and already look set to continue their recent dominance by winning a fifth consecutive title.

Carlos Tevez is not headed to Milan.

Talks between Manchester City and AC Milan suddenly broke down after Alexander Pato refused a move to Paris-St. Germain. Milan needed the 20-25 million pound transfer fee from the Brazilian international's move to have any chance of raising the necessary cash.

Let's not beat around the bush here and let's tell it like it is. We've seen two managers, drama, controversy, speculation, excitement, frustration and find ourselves at the turn of this year in the exact same position as we did a year ago. Isn't it strange how things have turned out!
This is my review of 2011 and a year on my blog as written by me, a lifelong Chelsea fan giving you my take on everything that happened.

The Daily Mail is reporting that former Blackburn Rovers legend Alan Shearer is the favourite to replace Steve Kean as Blackburn manager. The only question is whether Shearer will be in charge Bolton on Tuesday night.

In an unusual step Monday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph, the influential local newspaper, is expected to call for Kean's removal in a front page editorial.

Chelsea's rogue owner, Roman Abramovich, has historically shown no mercy to his managers when results don't meet his satisfaction. Names like Avram Grant, Luis Felipe Scolari and even the self... Read more »

Chelsea's rogue owner, Roman Abramovich, has historically shown no mercy to his managers when results don't meet his satisfaction. Names like Avram Grant, Luis Felipe Scolari and even the self proclaimed special one, Jose Mourinho have all fell prey to the wrath of the ambitious owner. With hard losses to Arsenal, Liverpool, and Bayern Leverkusen, [.

Blackburn Rovers fans jeered and booed Steve Kean On Saturday despite a 4-2 victory over Premier League new boys Swansea City.

Apart from demonstrating their displeasure during a win, the most unusual thing was that they also greeted a a goal celebration with boos. Four goal hero Yakubu ran over to his manager to hug him after scoring for Rovers and the fans showed their disquiet at this.

Blackburn Rovers fans jeered and booed Steve Kean On Saturday despite a 4-2 victory over Premier League new boys Swansea City.

Apart from demonstrating their displeasure during a win, the most unusual thing was that they also greeted a a goal celebration with boos. Four goal hero Yakubu ran over to his manager to hug him after scoring for Rovers and the fans showed their disquiet at this.

So much promise....

At some point you just have to feel sorry for a coach.... regardless of team affiliation. The execution time is quickly approaching with bated breath and grim reaper fingerprints. This is the time where Roman Abramovich gets itchy on the trigger finger, picks up a cell phone from Moscow and calls the front office of Chelsea Football Club to let them know that Chelsea will no longer be requiring the service of Andre Villas-Boas.

"I don't agree [that I need help.] I don't solve problems on my own; I solve problems with my group of people and my group of players.
Says Andre Villas-Boas, who apparently is already under pressure in his role as Chelsea manager.
True, they face a fight to stay in the Champions League and the premier league odds have drifted to 14/1, but it is still a ludicrous suggestion, but one that is symptomatic of the Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge.

Pressure mounting on Villas-Boas at Chelsea - SI.com.

When Chelsea selected ex-Porto manager Andre Villas-Boas to be their new leader last summer, many fans were scratching their heads to figure out who he was, and why he was chosen, but people in the game however, had no reservations about his ability to lead the London club back to it's trophy winning ways, as he had led Porto to a treble winning season in 2011 with Portuguese League, Cup and Europa League triumphs.

I think we all agree that the Chelsea job isn't exactly a bed of roses based on the levels of expectation put on you as manager. You would imagine that only the most confident, determined and focused managers would even entertain the idea of taking the hot seat here and a task of taking the club out of the shadows of the Jose Mourinho era at the club.

If you haven't seen this yet then you're in for a serious treat. This guy is brilliant.

Jaime Carragher has had a "pop" about Chelsea and our appointment of AVB ahead of up and coming British managers. When asked about foreign managers here he said:

"Benitez, Houllier, Mourinho – they've all got things about them in terms of having won the big trophies. Does that mean English managers don't get a chance at the Premier League?

After Chelsea sacked manager Carlo Ancelotti for failing to bring the Champions League back to London, new gaffer Andre Villas-Boas has a huge task on his hands before he even starts his new job.

He needs to find a successful approach in Europe in order to satisfy Blues owner Roman Abramovich, who craves European domination.

My name is Sam Allardycias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!

...and for my next trick FC Basel will take Radoslav Kovac from this club and actually pay money for the privilege. You read that correctly. Radoslav Kovac is off to Switzerland and it's not to join Dignitas.

The Chelsea coaching turnstiles have churned once more.
The Blues have become somewhat notorious in recent years due to the high turnover rate at the managerial position. Since Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003, there have been seven different Chelsea managers. That's seven managers in eight years, or a new manager every 1.

West Ham go Route One back to Premier League - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Messrs. Gold and Sullivan have stumbled from bad decision to ludicrous decision since taking over at West Ham but they may well have struck gold with the appointment of Big Sam. The quickest form of transport is through the sky and that's why Allardyce's long ball football could provide the Hammers with an instant return to the topflight.

What do Martin O'Neill, Alan Curbishley, Avram Grant, Roberto Di Matteo and Steve McClaren have in common? They're all football managers who are looking for a new team to manage. But as is often the case, their names are bandied about with several...
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Another National Team tournament, another confusing set of roster decisions from Bob Bradley.

Here is a look at six moves that could have been made to add depth and quality to the US team. Bradley's lineup features a number of his classic favorites who are either completely off of pace in their domestic leagues or serve no foreseeable purpose with this team.

Manchester United vs Juventus 2011 Friendly, Gary Neville Testimonial game- May 24, 2011 Final score:- Manchester United vs Juventus 1-2 ( Wayne Rooney/ Simone Pepe, Manuel Giandonato) Gary Neville's Man Utd testimonial game ends in a 1-2 loss as Simone Pepe and Manuel Giandonato give Juventus a comeback win at Old Trafford.

Having parted company with Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti after a disappointing season, Chelsea are once again searching for a new coach with Dutchman Guus Hiddink the bookies favourite to take over the reigns at Stamford Bridge. Rolly Pelovangu investigates...

A poisoned chalice or a great opportunity to manage at one of world football's richest clubs?

I have woken up this morning still in a state of shock really. Not because I am shocked that Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked, but in the way the club has done it.
I sat here last week watching pictures and reports of Avram Grant's sacking at West Ham and my immediate thought no matter who it is or was on this occasion was that they could have at least let the man travel back with the squad to the club and then do it there and do it properly.

Who will be the new Chelsea boss? 1. Guus Hiddink Roman didn't want to lose him the first time around after a successful stint at the club. The Dutchman lost just one game during his temporary stint at Stamford Bridge. 2. Marco Van Basten Another Dutchman who has been repeatedly linked with the Chelsea job [.

I am convinced that He does not play dice...

David Gold has insisted no stone will be left unturned as West Ham strive to ensure they appoint the right manager as Avram Grant's successor. Gold and co-owner David Sullivan are looking to bring in a replacement as quickly as possible so that the new man has time to start preparing for next season.

Special 1 TV is back for their final episode of the 2010-11 season. And they've packed it with plenty of jokes at the expense of Arsene Wenger, Wayne Rooney, Avram Grant, Ian Holloway and plenty of other Premier League stars. But the biggest news of...
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The second of our 'flops' feature 10. Heurelho Gomes The ultimate Jekyll and Hyde goalkeeper. No one has given away or saved more penalties than him this season in the Premier League, and Gomes is now second only to Rob Green in goalkeepers whose errors have been directly responsible for the conceding of a goal.

Sacked manager Avram Grant has spoke of his "sad day" after seeing his West Ham United side succumb to relegation. The Hammers have looked doomed for months during his time at the helm, and a 3-2 loss at the hands of Wigan on Sunday clinched the sacking of the former Chelsea boss.

Grant went as far as saying that it was the "saddest day" in his football career, a feeling that will be rife amongst West Ham fans as they prepare for at least one season in the npower Championship.

Spotted above the DW Stadium this afternoon, at around the time Grant's Irons were spunking a 2-0 lead at Wigan. The Latics went on to win 3-2 and send West Ham down to the Championship. Uncle Avram is Mister Relegation. At least now Carlton Cole will get to play at the appropriate level. View the [.

The fight itself towards the summits suffices to fill a heart of man; it is necessary to imagine Sisyphus happy...

Avram Grant will refuse to walk away from West Ham United even if they are relegated this season, leaving the club with a compensation bill of around £3.

West Ham United continue to blow the bubbles of drowning men, wrote David Lacey in the Guardian. Any relief at having avoided a home defeat by Blackburn Rovers was soon overtaken by the realisation that they now have to win their remaining two matches to have any chance of staying up, and only once this season have Avram Grant's side won back-to-back games in the Premier League.

How many times can a man turn his head
And pretend that he just doesn't see
The answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind
The answer is blowing in the wind

Manchester City's supporters celebrated with "the Poznan" and, for very different reasons, West Ham's followers must have been tempted to turn their backs to the pitch, too.