Blues owner Roman Abramovich is infamous for his impatience with his managers – so how have coaches under his reign fared compared to each other?

Chelsea have gone through more managers than Zlatan Ibrahimovic goes through clubs, and Maurizio Sarri's position is now in jeopardy following his side's 6-0 thumping by Man City.

But how have Chelsea's many, many bosses performed under the 16-year reign of Abramovich? Goal takes a look.


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#1 Antonio Conte (2016-18)
Accomplishments: Premier League (2016-17), FA Cup (2017-18)

Winning the Premier League in his debut season as well as the FA Cup in his second wasn't enough to secure Conte's survival at Stamford Bridge.

Failure to qualify for Champions League football the next season led to his dismissal in July 2018, despite breaking a Premier League record for the most wins in a single campaign (30).

Record (Premier League): P 76, W 51, D 10, L 15

Reason for dismissal: Finishing in fifth place and failing to secure Champions League football.


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#2 Guus Hiddink (2009 & 2015-16)
Accomplishments: FA Cup (2008-09)

Reason for dismissal: Was only appointed as interim manager on both occasions.

Hiddink has taken charge of Chelsea as interim manager twice, first taking over from Luis Felipe Scolari for the tail-end of the 2008-09 season and guiding Chelsea to an FA Cup win. That season, Hiddink took Chelsea to the Champions League semi-finals and was a popular figure with fans, leading the Blues faithful to chant 'sign him up' to a permanent deal on matchday.

In his second spell as interim coach in 2015, the Dutchman took over from Jose Mourinho and finished the season in 10th place – improving Chelsea's league position by six places from when he first started.

Record (Premier League): P 34, W 18, D 12, L 4


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#3 Jose Mourinho (2004-07 & 2013-15)
Accomplishments: Premier League (2004–05, 2005–06, 2014–15), FA Cup (2006-07), League Cup (2004–05, 2006–07, 2014–15), Community Shield (2005)

Reason for dismissal: Relationship breakdown with Abramovich during his first spell, bad form and languishing in 16th place in his second spell.

The 'Special One' still remains a revered figure at Stamford Bridge, with a portion of Chelsea fans still loyal and supportive of him. Mourinho, though, has since gained a reputation for having infamous and disastrous 'third seasons' at sides he has managed following successful first and second campaigns, and his time at Chelsea epitomised this.

Mourinho won consecutive league titles in his first two seasons in London before he left his post at the end of his third season. When he returned in 2013, he lifted the league as well as the League Cup in his debut campaign – though was given the boot mid-way through his third season after losing nine of 16 Premiership matches.

Record (Premier League): P 211, W 140, D 44, L 27


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#4 Rafael Benitez (2012-13)
Accomplishments: Europa League (2012)

Reason for dismissal: Was extremely unpopular with Chelsea fans due to his past history with Liverpool and was only appointed interim manager until the end of the season.

The Spaniard was never going to be welcomed at Stamford Bridge and received an extremely hostile reception during his first game in charge of the Blues against Manchester City. Despite only being named interim manager until the end of the season, Chelsea fans constantly protested his appointment from the stands with signs and chants.

Though Benitez secured a third-placed league finish as well as the Europa League trophy, he made no attempt to secure a longer deal at the club and left Chelsea at the end of the season.

Record (Premier League): P 26, W 15, D 6, L 5


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#5 Roberto Di Matteo (2012)
Accomplishments: FA Cup (2011-12), Champions League (2011-12)

Reason for dismissal: Poor form and early elimination from the Champions League.

Former Chelsea player Di Matteo was appointed as first-team coach following the dismissal of Andre Villas-Boas, who he was assistant manager to.

Initially appointed caretaker manager of Chelsea until the end of the 2012 season, Di Matteo won the FA Cup and the club's first ever Champions League victory. He led the Blues to European glory over Bayern Munich through penalty shootout.

He was eventually made permanent coach in the summer, but elimination from the Champions League as well as poor domestic form led to his dismissal in November. The decision to sack Di Matteo after just eight months and two major trophies was controversial amongst pundits and fans.

Record (Premier League): P 23, W 12, D 6, L 5


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#6 Andre Villas-Boas (2011-12)
Accomplishments: None

Reason for dismissal: Poor form and falling out with several key players as well as Abramovich, and was criticised for his team selection and his tactical choices.

Chelsea paid Porto a world record of €15m to appoint Villas-Boas as manager, and his reign started off strongly, winning the 2011 Barclays Asia Trophy. His Premier League form was decent, though pressure started to mount on Villas-Boas in February when his side dropped out of the top four after defeat to Everton.

Villas Boas' team selection and tactics were questioned by Abramovich as well as the club's technical director, and his decision to leave Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and Ashley Cole on the bench during a Champions League game garnered criticism. The Portuguese coach was then relieved of his duties following a 1-0 league defeat to West Brom in March, and replaced by Di Matteo.

Record (Premier League): P 27, W 13, D 7, L 7


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#7 Carlo Ancelotti (2009-11)
Accomplishments: Premier League (2009-10), FA Cup (2009-10), Community Shield (2009)

Reason for dismissal: Finishing in second place with no silverware.

Poor Ancelotti was sacked on the bus back to London following a 1-0 defeat away at Everton towards the end of his second season in charge.

In his debut season with the Blues, Ancelotti won the double – the league and the FA Cup – but his failure to repeat his success in his second year led to his harsh dismissal before the season even ended.

Ancelotti was let go from the Blues sporting a record of 67 wins, 20 draws and 22 losses in 109 matches (in all competitions). His win-rate at Chelsea is the third-highest in Premier League history, after Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Record (Premier League): P 76, W 48, D 13, L 15


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#8 Luiz Felipe Scolari (2008-09)
Accomplishments: None

Reason for dismissal: Deteriorating and disappointing league form.

The Brazilian took over as manager from Avram Grant in the summer of 2008 but only lasted eight months. Defeat to Liverpool was the final straw for the Chelsea hierarchy following deteroriating performances in the league, and was replaced by Hiddink.

Record (Premier League): P 25, W 14, D 7, L 4


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#9 Avram Grant (2007-08)
Accomplishments: None

Reason for dismissal: Finishing in second place with no silverware.

Having already forged a close friendship with Abramovich, Grant was first appointed Director of Football at Chelsea before replacing Mourinho as head coach in 2007. At the time of his managerial appointment, he did not hold the required top-flight coaching certification from UEFA and was unpopular with the fans – as they had been protesting Mourinho's departure.

Grant led Chelsea to the League Cup final and the Champions League final but lost both, with captain John Terry slipping before taking his penalty in the shootout. Had he scored, Chelsea would have won. Grant was relieved of his duties at he end of the season despite leading Chelsea to a second-placed Premier League finish.

Record (Premier League): P 33, W 22, D 8, L 3