A look at all Chelsea managers under Roman Abramovich

The last ten years have had their ups and downs in managerial terms at the Bridge; there are some that are still loved to this day and others that will never hold favour with fans. Club legend Frank Lampard became the latest casualty in West London under the rule of Roman Abramovich. 

Lampard was the 14^th managerial appointment made by Russian tycoon and owner since he took over the club in the summer of 2003, with club favorites Jose Mourinho and Guus Hiddink each having two spells. 

Let’s have a close look at how all 14 managers fared during their respective spells at the capital. 

Claudio Ranieri | September 2000 – May 2014  

Games: 199 

Win ratio: 54% 

The Italian who later on in his career made the impossible possible with Leicester Cit, was in charge when Abramovich arrived at Stamford Bridge.  Despite being a fairly popular figure with fans, the Italian was the first to suffer under the Abramovich age, ultimately departing Stamford Bridge without a single trophy to his name. 

Jose Mourinho | June 2004 – September 2007 

Games: 185 

Win ratio: 67% 

The ‘Special One’ established himself as the hottest manager of the time and a true Chelsea hero, winning back-to-back league titles in his first two seasons.  In his fourth season in 2007-2008 however, the love affair came to an end with Mourinho walking out on Chelsea after his relationship with the owner was strained. 

Avram Grant | September 2007 – May 2008 

Games: 54 

Win ratio: 67% 

The Israeli coach had a relatively short career at Chelsea and in which saw him take Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United.  He had initially arrived at Chelsea as a Director of Football before replacing Mourinho in the dugout.  

Luis Felipe Scolari | July 2008 – February 2009 

Games: 36 

Win ratio: 56%   

A legend in his native Brazil and was considered a major coup for the blues when they landed Scolari as their manager.  ‘’Big Phil’’ lasted just seven months before being shown the door for failing to sustain a title challenge, having fallen seven points behind league leaders Manchester United with three months still to play. 

Guus Hiddink | February 2009 – May 2009 

Games: 22  

Win ratio: 73% 

Another loved character in West London; the Dutchman was called in to save the day at the club in what was a remarkable turnaround.  Hiddink lost just once in 22 games and left a truly memorable mark on the club. 

Carlo Ancelotti | June 2009 – May 2011 

Games: 109 

Win ratio: 61% 

The Italian put the Blues back at the top after some continuous dominance from Manchester United.  Ancelotti won the title in his first season in style with a record goals of 103.  No team had scored more than a 100 before that.  His end came to a sad end as he was informed in a corridor at Goodison Park soon after his team lost 1-0 to Everton. 

Andres Villas-Boas | June 2011 – March 2012 

Games: 40 

Win ratio: 48% 

The Portuguese came in with a lot of promise and huge expectation, however he failed to assert any kind of seniority over the team during his short sting.  Villas-Boas was removed just nine months into his reign, after his team went down to a 1-0 to lowly West Brom. 

Roberto Di Matteo | March 2012 – November 2012 

Games: 42 

Win ratio: 57% 

When the Italian took over from his predecessor, he was already a cult hero at Chelsea from his days as a Chelsea player.  Not much was expected from him as a manager, but he somehow went to lift both the Champions League and the FA Cup within his first 21 games in charge. In the season that followed, he was shown the door after a poor streak of results in November. 

Rafa Benitez | November 2012 – May 2013 

Games: 48 

Win ratio: 58% 

A truly unpopular choice with the Chelsea faithful.  The Spaniard was brought in to steady the ship after Chelsea fell too far behind league leaders Manchester City.  He managed to win the Europa League in that same season and secured a top-four finish in the Premier League. 

Jose Mourinho: Part two | June 2013 – December 2015 

Games: 136 

Win ratio: 59% 

The Portuguese mastermind returned for a second spell in London ahead of the 2013-2014 season which saw him finish third in this first season and top of the table the following season.  2015-2016 proved to be the end of the line for him at the club.  Chelsea lost nine of their first 16 games and he appeared to have lost the dressing room.  He was removed in December with the team just one point above the relegation zone. 

Guus Hiddink: Part two | December 2015 – May 2016 

Games: 27 

Win ratio: 37% 

A familiar face returned following the second departure of the special one.  The Dutchman agreed to take the reins for the remainder of the 2015-2016.  He went unbeaten in his first 12 games and secured his side to a safe mid-table finish following a crisis period. 

Antonio Conte | July 2016 – July 2018 

Games: 106 

Win ratio: 65% 

Conte was an immediate success at the club, pushing Chelsea at the top of the summit in his first season.  He turned his team into a truly powerful force also managing to secure a new record for most wins in a single season (30 wins from 38 games).  He also won the FA Cup in the 2017-2018 season before trouble started to appear.  He was replaced in what was a somewhat bitter departure filled with legal fees and wranglings. 

Maurizio Sarri | July 2018 – June 2019 

Games: 63 

Win ratio: 62% 

The chain-smoking Sarri failed to settle in London, and while results on the pitch were satisfactory, he Italian has communication problems and was unpopular with fans.  Sarri finished the season with a Europa League but his impact on the team was still questioned by many.  Sarri however decided to leave the club on his own terms, after securing a managerial role at Juventus. 

Frank Lampard | July 2019 – January 2021 

Games: 84 

Win ratio: 52.3% 

The Blues legend was always marked as a long-term managerial target for the distant future, but perhaps Sarri’s departure made the process move too quickly.  Lampard was given time in his first season as Chelsea had a transfer ban for over a year.  He somehow managed to drive his team into the top four and Champions League qualification.  But it all went wrong this season following a spending spree of £220 million on some Europe’s exciting prospects.  Lampard remains the manager with the lower win percentage.