Ray Wilkins in Shock Chelsea Exit

by Rumours
(UK)

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has left the club with immediate effect.

The Premier League champions made the shock announcement on Thursday, chief executive Ron Gourlay saying on the club's official website, "On behalf of everyone at the club I would like to thank Ray for everything he has done for Chelsea Football Club. We all wish him well for the future."

No reason was given for the sudden departure of the Stamford Bridge legend, who began his career at Chelsea and made 179 appearances before joining Manchester United in 1979.

Wilkins has been a steadying influence behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons.

He was appointed to assist Luiz Felipe Scolari and briefly took charge of the first team when the Brazilian was sacked in 2009.

He also worked as assistant to Dutchman Guus Hiddink during his short spell at the club and continued in the role when Carlo Ancelotti was appointed.

Wilkins is a fluent Italian speaker and is credited with maintaining strong links between the players and the coaching staff at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti recently gave him a glowing assessment in his autobiography, saying ‘One of the reasons I fit into the locker room was thanks to the fundamental role played by Ray Wilkins, my No 2 and my friend.’

‘It’s one thing to translate words but translating feelings is the gift of only a select few.

‘Ray is one of those select few, always present, noble in spirit, a real blue-blood, Chelsea flows in his veins. His heart beats in two languages and that helped me.

Without him, we couldn’t have won a thing and, in particular, we wouldn’t have started the year at supersonic speed.’

Senior members of the Chelsea squad are said to be stunned by Wilkins departure, but despite reports, no fall-out with any player, coach or board member is behind the decision.