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'If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has any sense, he will back his man' - Gary Neville has confidence in Andre Villas-Boas
Former Manchester United defender believes Blues' owner needs to show his support for the under-fire manager, and feels the 34-year-old should be given time to make his mark
27 Nov 2011 10:42:00
By Adithya Ananth
Getty Images
Gary Neville believes that Roman Abramovich should give his backing to Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas, at a time when his capabilities are being questioned.
The Portuguese boss was appointed during the summer as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked following one trophyless season at Stamford Bridge.
The young ex-Porto manager has changed the way the team plays, but seen them lose four of their last eight games in all competitions.
However, Neville believes that it is up to Abramovich to back his manager during a difficult spell like this, and that Villas-Boas should be given ample time to make his mark at the Bridge.
"If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has any sense, he will back his man," the former Manchester United defender wrote in a column for The Mail on Sunday.
"He brought him in to do a job and now he has to let him finish it. You need calm heads and sensible analysis.
"December is going to be a massive month for them, starting with Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, followed by Premier League games at Newcastle and Tottenham and at home to Manchester City, as well as that crucial Champions League tie against Valencia, which could see them go out of the tournament.
"But whatever happens, there should be some patience shown. Now is the time for strength of mind on all sides. Villas-Boas should stick to his guns and not compromise his style."
Neville also maintained that the Portuguese boss will be able to hold his own against his critics as long as he has the backing of the upper echelon at Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the retired defender also drew parallels between the Blues' current problems and the malaise affecting Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side at the beginning of the season.
"He described the last few weeks as a ‘negative moment’, but as long as he has the support of his board then he can get through it," added Neville. "Who is to say he can’t do what Arsenal and Wenger have done over the last two months?
"He may only be 34 and it may be his first major job in football, but I’ve seen at close quarters what happens when you back a young manager with talent and let him follow through his vision for a club.
"Twenty five years on, Sir Alex Ferguson’s battle to be established is a distant memory. I’m not sure Villas-Boas can hope to be at Chelsea in 2036 - but he should at least be given the chance to see out the next few years."
The Portuguese boss was appointed during the summer as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, who was sacked following one trophyless season at Stamford Bridge.
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The young ex-Porto manager has changed the way the team plays, but seen them lose four of their last eight games in all competitions.
However, Neville believes that it is up to Abramovich to back his manager during a difficult spell like this, and that Villas-Boas should be given ample time to make his mark at the Bridge.
"If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has any sense, he will back his man," the former Manchester United defender wrote in a column for The Mail on Sunday.
"He brought him in to do a job and now he has to let him finish it. You need calm heads and sensible analysis.
"December is going to be a massive month for them, starting with Liverpool in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, followed by Premier League games at Newcastle and Tottenham and at home to Manchester City, as well as that crucial Champions League tie against Valencia, which could see them go out of the tournament.
"But whatever happens, there should be some patience shown. Now is the time for strength of mind on all sides. Villas-Boas should stick to his guns and not compromise his style."
Neville also maintained that the Portuguese boss will be able to hold his own against his critics as long as he has the backing of the upper echelon at Chelsea.
Meanwhile, the retired defender also drew parallels between the Blues' current problems and the malaise affecting Arsene Wenger's Arsenal side at the beginning of the season.
"He described the last few weeks as a ‘negative moment’, but as long as he has the support of his board then he can get through it," added Neville. "Who is to say he can’t do what Arsenal and Wenger have done over the last two months?
"He may only be 34 and it may be his first major job in football, but I’ve seen at close quarters what happens when you back a young manager with talent and let him follow through his vision for a club.
"Twenty five years on, Sir Alex Ferguson’s battle to be established is a distant memory. I’m not sure Villas-Boas can hope to be at Chelsea in 2036 - but he should at least be given the chance to see out the next few years."
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