REAL (Fabio Capello)
Chance of Retirement: 90%
Reasons for discontent. Last year’s coaching leapfrog and the disastrous results of recent years, it seemed, became a story for Real Madrid, as well as the famous “Zidanov and Pavonov policy” of President Florentino Perez. Replaced came Ramon Calderon, who approved at the helm of the charismatic Fabio Capello. A spectacular transfer campaign was conducted. Dr. Fabio, according to the plan of the employer, was to instantly establish symptoms and heal royal ailments. Indeed, this is how he led Real Madrid to the championship ten years ago.
But the calculation did not work. The disease was neglected. Moreover, the protagonists of Capello - Emerson and Cannavaro - did not live up to expectations. According to the old Roman habit, the coach continued to conflict with the bad guy Cassano. And in the appendage were the extra pounds of Ronaldo, who barely squeezed into Milan through the transfer window, millions of Beckham, exiled to the reserve, and then returned to the base ...
Today's consequences - fourth place in the championship and a departure from the Champions League. It all happened not in Spain, but, for example, on the British Isles, the team bosses would probably notice winter transfer successes, a positive balance of the two Grand Classics, the gradual stabilization of the roster and confirm the carte blanche for a season or two. But Madrid is tougher.
Capello may be notified of dismissal at any time. Even after the winning match, as happened last season with Wanderlei Lushemburgo.
Possible successors: Jose Mourinho, Bernd Schuster, Carlo Ancelotti, Sven-Joran Ericsson.
Optimal replacement. If Capello is destined to leave the royal club, then last year’s scenario is more likely than others: before the end of the season he will be replaced by a working understudy from Real Madrid, and in the offseason they will sign a contract with a star of the first magnitude. For this role, it’s better not to find an artist better than Jose Mourinho. In his favor are rumors of a conflict with Roman Abramovich, and a brilliant collection of titles, and a good knowledge of Spanish football (the Portuguese assisted Bobby Robson in Barcelona). But this is not the main thing. Real Madrid needs a solid hand, and Mourinho can not only rally the players, but also direct the energy of the leadership in the right direction. At the top, Chelsea, by contrast, are dissatisfied with the independence of the "Iberian George Clooney" in matters of both transfer policy and the formation of the headquarters. Mourinho could not find the best arguments in support of the Madrid move.
Chelsea (Jose Mourinho)
Chance of Retirement: 75%
Reasons for discontent. The position of the Portuguese is noticeably more stable than that of Fabio Capello. In fact, he made Chelsea the way we know him, simultaneously winning almost three seasons in five national tournaments. Moreover, even now the “blues” have not yet lost their chances either for the championship, or for the FA Cup, or for the conquest of the coveted Champions League.
The lack of international titles is one of the main grounds for reproaches. The ill-wishers also include Mourinho’s misses when picking (recall at least Sean Wright-Phillips, Asier Del Orno, Thiaga, Matej Kezhman), and overly rational, by British standards, football, and inability to work with the proposed stellar material: Andrey Shevchenko and Mikael Ballack. An alarming bell for the Portuguese was Abramovich’s ignorance of the winter transfer window: not a single acquisition with obvious staffing problems. Is this not a hint that patching up Chelsea will be another craftsman? And the trainer himself bluntly claims on occasions that he will leave the club as a millionaire and certainly will not remain without work. It seems that only simultaneous victories in the Champions League and the Premier League will allow Mourinho to finalize the contract with Chelsea to the end.
Possible successors: Guus Hiddink, Frank Rykard, Roberto Mancini, Marcello Lippi, Sven-Goran Ericsson, Ronald Kuman.
Optimal replacement. The club’s ambitions and the funds of its owner make Chelsea a desirable place of work for any titled coach. But Roberto Mancini nevertheless sees a better candidate. There are two scudetto in his track record (nobody will interfere with Inter this season), which means that there is no need to talk about professional skills. Mancini is the first coach after Giovanni Trapattoni, who managed to work in conjunction with the odious Massimo Moratti for almost three seasons. This is probably already known to Abramovich, tired of the intransigence of his subordinates. Finally, Mancini can become a catalyst for the comeback of Andriy Shevchenko, who is so lacking in the foggy Albion of Italy and the real "calcho".
MILAN (Carlo Ancelotti)
Chance of Retirement: 65%
Reasons for discontent. The approach to choosing a coach at Milan is always special. This is not similar to the principle of chopping the shoulders that is typical for most Spanish and Italian giants, as soon as the team begins to slip, nor to the British, where the monarch coach has been sitting on the throne for ten years. In red-blacks everything happens evolutionarily. Coaches leave when their ideas are obviously outdated and the team needs a fresh stream.
So it was with Arrigo Sacchi, Fabio Capello, Alberto Zaccheroni. This is exactly what happens with Ancelotti. His reputation is impeccable. But the deficit of fresh ideas, extraordinary solutions is obvious. The legendary Milan Lab can endlessly extend the sports age of Paolo Maldini and Kafu. But the generation change “Rossoneri” slept two seasons ago. Yes, and the selection of the Milanese does not meet the goals and signboard of the famous club. The team is in danger of not getting into the Champions League, and the forced total victory over the “Celtic” casts doubt on the European prospects in this draw.
Possible successors: Marcello Lippi, Frank Rykard, Marco van Basten.
Optimal replacement. Milan is a family. This motto is adhered to by its owners Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani. This is confirmed in interviews by players - from veteran Maldini to rookie Ronaldo. That is why the godfather here is unlikely to be a person from the outside. It would be interesting to look at the work of the team of the recognized classic Marcello Lippi. But alas: Lippi, firstly, is not a "Milanist", and secondly, the creator of the most high-profile successes of an implacable competitor - Juventus. Therefore, we call Frank Rikard a favorite. With the Milanese past, the Dutchman is all right. And his work at Barça raises a lot of complaints this season. A tip to forecasters in recent days has been leaked to the press by information that Raycard's confidants are looking for housing in Milan.
BARCELONA (Frank Rykard)
Chance of Retirement: 65%
Reasons for discontent. To understand why Barcelona should change their coach, it was enough to follow the team in the segment of three matches: two league champions with Liverpool and from the examples with Sevilla. Such today is “Barca”: crammed with stars, creative, but absolutely spineless. The Catalans' combinations are amazing, as they were a year or two earlier. With one correction: they look like in slow motion. The reason on the surface is a banal "star". And Rikard seems unable to cope with him. And a conflict with the seemingly long-growing Busoter Samuel Eto'o seemed to fall on his head.
It is possible that Barca will take the third consecutive championship. But by the coast, due to the instability of competitors. Change is ripe. And Raikard outside the team and without its main stars will have a serious exam for professional suitability. It will be even more interesting to follow the new stage of his career.
Possible successors: Bernd Schuster, Sven-Goran Ericsson, Ronald Kuman.
Optimal replacement. The name of Ronald Kuman, unlike the other two candidates for the Barça coaching chair, has not yet appeared in the press. But imagine Bernd Schuster, who instructs Eto'o, and not Maris Verpakovsky, or Sven-Joran Ericsson, who is explaining to Ronaldinho and Messi the rules of rational football, you see, it’s difficult.
But the third coming to the Catalan team of Cuman, already as a head coach, and not as a player or assistant, does not look fantastic. In favor of the Dutchman, two champion coaching titles with Ajax and productive work in Benfica (last season the Lisbon did not become champions, but made a noise in the Champions League, first not letting the playoffs go to Manchester United, and then depriving them of the title holder "Liverpool"). This spring, Kumanovsky PSV also excelled, leaving the main European Cup without yet another English grand, Arsenal. And after a couple of rounds Eindhovens will ahead of schedule celebrate their championship ...
In the offseason, the fair-haired Dutchman will be one of the most sought-after specialists in Europe. And Barcelona, in the form of which Kuman spent 191 matches and scored 67 goals, is seen as the best continuation of his career at an elite level.
INTER (Roberto Mancini)
Chance of resignation: 45%
Reasons for discontent. In fact, he is only one - a recent breakup with the Champions League. Neither Club President Massimo Moratti nor the fans can have other complaints. The first row in the table, zero in the graph of defeats, a record series of victories for the Big Five championships. Both Milan derby were won, and Juve did on the B-series tour ...
But the main demon of Moratti has always been vanity. And now, even when almost cloudless, he wants more. Mancini’s problems at Inter (if any) are paradoxical and somewhat similar to the difficulties of Vincent del Bosque during his time at Real. He just does the job well, is correct and polite, avoids harsh statements and does not get involved in scandals. All this is discordant with the established image of a super club. This discrepancy is seen as the only reason for the hypothetical separation of Inter from Mancini.
Possible successors: Jose Mourinho, Marcello Lippi.
Optimal replacement. She is obvious. Moratti is too intrusively confessing sympathy for Jose Mourinho. Moreover, in response to the titled trainer, “nerazzurri” can also get the brand of the same name. And the “best coach of the world”, in turn, does not hide the desire to try strength in paradise for the tactical coach - Serie A. That is why the coaching castling between Chelsea and Inter does not seem unrealistic.