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.

Chelsea v Liverpool: five things we learned | Dominic Fifield

André Villas-Boas is under increasing pressure, while big money signings are still struggling to settle at both clubs 1 André Villas-Boas is already a manager under pressure It was arguable that, given the summer transfer outlay, Kenny Dalglish should actually have edged into this fixture as the manager under greater scrutiny, though in ensuring he has now gone 12 matches unbeaten against Chelsea while in charge of Liverpool, he left the focus fixed on André Villas-Boas.

Claudio Ranieri is the 4th Inter Milan's manager since the leaving of Josè Mourinho, just 16 months ago. The Portouguese manager left Inter Milan after the winning of Uefa Champions League on May 2010. From that moment the dressing room of the Italian club has welcome Rafa Benitez, Leonardo De Araujo and Gian Piero Gasperini.

I think we all can agree that, though it is still very early in his tenure, Andre Villas-Boas has brought a certain level of sophistication to Stamford Bridge since his appointment over the summer. Though, in terms of age and experience at this level, the Portugese is still a pup, he exudes the culture and class of a seasoned, well-versed professional.

Raul Meireles has signed for Chelsea. Liverpool confirmed tonight that the midfielder had handed in a written transfer request and Chelsea wasted no time in signing the Portuguese midfielder.
The statement on the Official Chelsea Website reads:

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Raul Meireles from Liverpool on a four-year contract.

By DAVID MOSSE

The last unbeaten in the Brazilian Championship fell on Thursday night, as Flamengo was thrashed at home by Atletico Goianiense. Next up is a high-profile clash with Internacional on Sunday (3 p.m.), one that Wanderley Luxemburgo hopes will represent a return to normalcy for the Rio de Janeiro giants, who suffered only their second defeat of the year and are three points behind Corinthians.

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.

Since sacking Claudio Ranieri in June 2004 to appointing Andre Villas-Boas in June 2011, Roman Abramovich has spent over £69m in various compensation pay-outs to managers and clubs (including the hiring of director of football Frank Arnesen). That £69m does not include wages paid to managers since 2004.

I thought that Peter Kenyon said some stupid things when he was at Chelsea, but the comments by Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay surpass anything that Kenyon ever said.

Gourlay was in Asia ahead of Chelsea's tour there this summer and was asked about Chelsea firing Carlo Ancelotti one year after he won the double.

Chelsea captain John Terry has opened the door for former boss Guus Hiddink to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge. Hiddink previously managed at the club in 2009 as caretaker boss following Felipe Scolari's sacking, but failed to land the job permanently. Now, Terry says that Hiddink would be welcomed back with open arms, especially considering the Dutchman's impressive record of just one loss with the club.

Following Chelsea's disastrous exit from the FA Cup yesterday against plucky opponents Everton, 4-3 after a dramatic penalty decider, it has to cross one's mind that a certain Russian billionaire who was watching the game, might just be growing tired of the current menu on offer at Stamford Bridge.

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Ronaldinho reached an agreement with AC Milan to officially end his contract with the Italian club on Thursday, clearing the way for his to return to Brazil. Ronaldinho did not announce his new club, however, and three Brazilian clubs remain in contention to sign the two-time FIFA player of the year [.