Managing the situation

What on earth goes on at Chelsea? Less than 6 months after winning the European Champions League (admittedly in unspectacular style), Roberto Di Matteo finds himself out of a job. In fiscal terms, it is difficult to be too concerned about him, but it must be difficult being in a job where your continued employment depends upon the actions of others and your employer is impatient with any slip up. If Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger had been taken on by their respective clubs at the beginning of the 2012/13 season one of them would surely be out of a job by now.

Not for the first time the club finds itself with a temporary, if highly paid, replacement while we all wait for the favoured one to be available. And not for the first time, the expectations on Pep Guardiola is high. And not for the first time it is difficult to see how anyone can live up to those expectations.

After all, what is the definition of success at Chelsea? Apparently not back to back Premiership titles. Apparently not Champions League Finalist. Apparently not FA Cup and European Champions. And apparently not a spectacular start to the season followed by a bit of a stumble while their captain is absent. Whatever our opinion of John Terry, there is no doubt that he is the leader of the team in the dressing room and an inspiration to the players on the pitch.

I know. Nothing to do with structural engineering but I have to read something while I am having lunch.