The Chelsea managerial tree branches out far more than that of its rivals. The Blues’ reputation for having a ruthless sack culture has its benefits (trophies) and its drawbacks (periods of instability), but it also brings with it interesting connections. The club’s former managers now lead some of Europe’s largest clubs. Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho at Roma, Maurizio Sarri at Lazio and Rafa Benitez at Everton, for example. There are also those managers in limbo, such as Antonio Conte and Frank Lampard.
The list doesn’t stop there though. There are many former Chelsea players or managers who are destined to have a future in the game as a manager. John Terry is often thought of as the perfect example of this. However, perhaps even before Terry gets to throw his hat in the official managerial ring, one of his former teammates could land a head coaching job. Former Blues player and assistant manager Jody Morris has been linked heavily with the Swansea City vacancy over the last few days.
Former Chelsea player and assistant manager Jody Morris in talks with Swansea City regarding managerial opening.
Morris has been out of a job since January. He was part of Frank Lampard’s staff that was let go by Chelsea following two difficult months for the first team. Prior to his job as the Blues’ No. 2 under Lampard, Morris held the same position under the Chelsea legend at Derby County. The two former teammates turned things around for the Rams in just one season, narrowly missing out on promotion via the playoff final.
Morris helped Mason Mount take his career to the next step during that season in the Championship, as well. His player development skills are top notch and he’s got the resume to prove it. The 42-year-old spent four years after his retirement in the youth coaching ranks at Cobham. Morris helped the youngsters capture numerous trophies, with most of his success coming at the U18 level. As manager of the U18s, he won two FA Youth Cups (2016-18), two Premier League titles (’16-18), the U18 PL Cup (2017/18) and the Premier League National (’17/18). Morris has worked with countless individuals in the Blues’ academy, some of which you see in the first team today. Of course, AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori is also another success story under the former club assistant.
The Swansea City job may look like a lucrative one on paper, but that is not the reality of the situation. Former Swans boss Steve Cooper stepped down last week after growing tensions behind the scenes. He failed to get the side into the Premier League again, despite coming close on numerous occasions. This results in the Welsh club’s top flight money beginning to run thin and the prospect of becoming a Championship mainstay is becoming very real. Turnover in the side could be necessary in the coming weeks. Either that or the next man in charge will be tasked with getting the Swans back up or potentially getting sacked.
Morris landing the job would be good news for the Blues, as well. In addition to the success of a former player and manager, it’d give the team a place to loan young players and assure they’re in safe hands. Chelsea has a lengthy history of loan deals with Swansea, most recently seeing notable names like Marc Guehi and Tammy Abraham perfect their craft at the Liberty Stadium.
Morris is one of the two men in the running for the job, the other being MK Dons boss Russell Martin. Best of luck to the Blues cult hero in his pursuit of his first major head coaching job.