Credit: By Daniel Kraski (Roberto Di Matteo) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsA player manager these days at a top level club is virtually unheard of. There have been a few players who have become interim managers whilst still playing, the latest of these being Ryan Giggs at Manchester United, but the last top flight permanent player manager was Chelsea FC’s very own Gianluca Vialli.
Chelsea FC are unusual in the fact that in our 110 year history we have had 4 permanent player managers. That figure out of a total of 33 managers (including temporary) might seem quite low but is indicative of how difficult it is to combine both the roles of a player and a manager at the same time.
Chelsea FC have also employed a total of 8 ex players as managers (including temporary) in addition to the player managers, meaning a total of 12 men have both played for and managed our club.
I have compiled these managers (excluding the 3 temporary managers) in chronological order with a brief resume of their period in charge, but what order do you think they should be in terms of what they have done for Chelsea FC?
Next: John Robertson
John (Jackie) Robertson – Player/Manager
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John Robertson signed for the brand new football club, Chelsea FC on 18th April 1905. He was responsible for assembling Chelsea FC’s first ever squad including George Hilsdon who would go on to become our first ever player to score 100 goals and had the glamorous nickname of Gattling Gun George!
John Robertson left Chelsea FC in November 1906 amidst fairly substantial rumours of the liking of a drink or two!
Next: Thomas Docherty
Thomas Docherty – Manager
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Thomas Docherty became manager on 26th September 1961, 3 days after playing the last of his 4 games for Chelsea FC. He was the epitome of the 1960’s, flamboyant, a maverick and rebellious!
During his tenure as manager he promoted from the junior squad future legends Chopper Harris, Peter Houseman, Peter Osgood and a future Chelsea FC manager, John Hollins. He also signed the likes of Charlie Cooke, George Graham and another future Chelsea FC manager Eddie McCreadie. His team to this day are still affectionately referred to as Docherty’s Diamonds.
Joe Mears, Chelsea FC’s chairman tolerated the Doc’s tempestuous outbursts because of the style of play and success that he bought to the club. However when Joe Mears passed away in late 1966 the writing was on the wall for Thomas Docherty, and sure enough when The Doc abused a local official on a Caribbean tour Chelsea sacked him in September 1967.
Next: Eddie McCreadie
Eddie McCreadie – Manager
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Eddie McCreadie retired as a player in November 1974 and after being on the coaching staff was appointed as Chelsea FC manager in April 1975. The team by that time was in decline and he turned to the kids, so much so that he stripped Ron Harris of the captaincy and gave it to an 18 year old Ray Wilkins.
He was unable to prevent relegation that season but 2 seasons later his kids gained promotion back to the top division playing with an exuberance and a swagger that was enjoyed by all.
Eddie McCreadie resigned in July 1977 when a request for a company car after winning promotion was denied by Chelsea FC chairman Brian Mears!
Next: Ken Shellito
Ken Shellito – Manager
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Ken Shellito succeeded Eddie McCreadie in July 1977 with the same financial restraints that had faced his predecessor and managed to maintain Chelsea FC’s status as a top tier team in his first season.
Ken also copied Eddie McCreadie in promoting from the juniors the likes of Gary Chivers and Mike Fillery.
By December 1978 Chelsea FC had only won 2 league games and Ken Shellito resigned as manager.
Next: John Hollins
John Hollins – Manager
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John Hollins made the last of his 592 appearances as a player in May 1984 before taking the reins as Chelsea FC manager in June 1985. He managed to maintain our top flight status despite having the usual 1980’s financial restrictions imposed on him.
Despite winning the Full Members Cup he wasn’t satisfied with the teams consistency and imposed tough body building regimes on his flair players, not popular! The team spirit declined as did the clubs league position and in March 1988 John Hollins did the honourable thing and resigned.
Next: Glenn Hoddle
Glenn Hoddle – Player Manager
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Glenn Hoddle was signed as a player/manager on 4th June 1993. He had a reputation as a silky skilled footballer and arrived at Chelsea FC declaring that he wanted to introduce a touch of class to the club. This encompassed not only players skills but also the playing surfaces and even the players diets. This revolutionary approach didn’t lead to any silverware during Glenns time in charge but the building blocks had been laid for future coaches throughout the country to follow. Glenn Hoddles most significant signing was to be his successor Ruud Gullit on a free transfer.
In May 1996 Glenn Hoddle accepted the offer of managing England, a job he had long yearned for, and left Chelsea FC.
Next: Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit – Player Manager
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On 10th May 1996 Ken Bates appointed Ruud Gullit as manager. Ken Bates had originally wanted George Graham as the successor to Glenn Hoddle but the crowds at Stamford Bridge were so vociferous in their support of Ruud that Ken relented! His sexy brand of football ensured that he was the first overseas, and significantly these days, the first black manager to win the FA Cup. His signings included the legendary Gianfranco Zola and 2 future managers, Gianluca Vialli and Roberto Di Matteo.
Despite his popular “Mr. Cool” image Ruud Gullit was a poor man manager and rumours of discontent soon spread. When contract negotiations faltered over his playing contract Chelsea FC took the decision on 12th February 1998 to sack him with immediate effect.
Next: Gianluca Vialli
Gianluca Vialli – Player Manager
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Chelsea FC appointed Gianluca Vialli to succeed Ruud Gullit, having been in talks with him for 2 weeks already, in February 1998. This was deemed to be justice served by many after Gullit had sidelined Vialli for long periods during the Dutchman’s reign. Gianluca Vialli seemed to have the knack of winning key matches and 3 trophies arrived in quick succession following his appointment. Gianluca promoted a young John Terry to the 1st team squad for the first time, and with the signings of Marcel Desailly, Mario Melchiot, Albert Ferrer and Carlo Cudicini he set about making Chelsea FC more solid defensively. Despite coming close and only losing 3 games in the 1999/2000 Premier League the elusive champions tag failed to materialise.
At the start of the 2000/2001 league campaign stories of discontent between Gianluca and the players emerged, the results dipped and Gianluca was sacked.
Next: Roberto Di Matteo
Roberto Di Matteo – Manager
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On the 5th March 2012 Roberto Di Matteo took over the managerial reins on an interim basis and went on to mastermind the greatest story in the history of Chelsea FC …….. so far!
Upon his appointment he immediately turned back to the previously discarded old guard of John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.
Inspired in particular by those 3, Stamford Bridge witnessed one of those nights that will live forever in the memory of many Chelsea FC fans, the overturning of the 3-1 deficit against Napoli and the march to Munich had begun.
2 of his signings, Oscar and Azpilicuetta proved to be inspired and are well on the way to becoming true legends at Chelsea FC.
Sadly, after winning a permanent manager contract Robert Di Matteo could not maintain the exceptionally high standards he had set as an interim. After a run of just 2 wins in 8 Premier League games the following season, he was relieved of his duties as manager, but with the record of being Chelsea FC’s first European Champions League winning manager he will always be loved by the Chelsea faithful.
Next: Final Thoughts
By Doha Stadium Plus Qatar [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia CommonsSo there you have it, all 9 players who have both played for, and managed Chelsea FC.
To place these 9 Stamford Bridge legends in order of importance is a virtually impossible task, but if pushed this is how I would rank them.
I have based this ranking on their record as a manager, the effect they had on Chelsea FC, and also the club’s situation before and after they were in charge.
- Thomas Docherty Sep 1961 – Sep 1967
- Roberto Di Matteo Mar 2012 – Nov 2012
- John Robertson May 1905 – Nov 1906
- Gianluca Vialli Feb 1998 – Sep 2000
- Glenn Hoddle Jun 1993 – May 1996
- Ruud Gullit May 1996 – Feb 1998
- Eddie McCreadie Apr 1975 – Jun 1977
- John Hollins Jun 1985 – Mar 1988
- Ken Shellito Jul 1977 – Dec 1978
Please let me know in the comments below if you think differently!
Next: Top 5 Chelsea Cult Heroes