And again…
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas admits owner Roman Abramovich quizzed him over team selection
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas revealed he had to supply an explanation of his team selection against Napoli to owner Roman Abramovich via technical director Michael Emenalo.
Villas-Boas explained why he left Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole out of Chelsea’s starting line-up in the 3-1 defeat, and is adamant both that he picked the right team and that he retains the support of Abramovich.
His future, though, is on a knife-edge, with indications that Abramovich’s camp is genuinely split on whether he should remain manager.
The fact that Abramovich preferred to ask questions of Villas-Boas through Emenalo, and other confidantes, hardly appears encouraging. Given his limited coaching career, Emenalo’s senior standing at Chelsea has long been the source of outside bemusement but he is particularly close to Abramovich.
“I have not spoken to him [Abramovich],” said Villas-Boas. “I have spoken to persons near to him. He is disappointed about the result and asking questions about how we set up the team and they were duly explained.