Life’s A Pitch: The management

This week has seen some significant managerial changes. The most newsworthy being Tottenham’s announcement that failed Chelsea coach André Villas-Boas was taking over at White Hart Lane, replacing the popular and relatively successful Harry Redknapp.

The initial reaction from many Spurs fans to the news that Villas-Boas was set to take over was one of uneasiness, fearing the kind of problems Chelsea suffered under the Portuguese. But now he’s in the job and the club has outlined its plans to nurture young talent, most fans have got used to the idea and can see the logic in appointing him.

The Life’s A Pitch team chews over Villas-Boas’ appointment in our vodcasts and assesses his chances of success this season, which seem pretty good by all accounts. Ethan Dean-Richards also believes that this could be the start of something beautiful at Spurs.

Of course, over at Villas-Boas’ former employers, Chelsea, the Portuguese’s one-time assistant manager, Roberto Di Matteo, who turned the Blues’ car crash of a season into a glorious ending after AVB was sacked, was unveiled as the new permanent manager at Stamford Bridge as well this week. And despite suggestions that former Barcelona Pep Guardiola was the club’s first choice, the Life’s A Pitch team reckons Di Matteo has earned his chance to manage the club permanently.

But considering some observers expect Guardiola to take over next summer, and that the club’s hierarchy seem to be looking after player recruitment, Mike Calvin has his doubts over the amount of clout Di Matteo will actually have at Stamford Bridge.

Another managerial development this week was around the news that Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is expected to take over at Watford after the Pozzo family acquired the Championship club. The move unfrtunately saw manager Sean Dyche sent packing. Mike Calvin isn’t impressed.

Elsewhere, we assess the latest transfer rumours, decide whether several transfers will be a hit or a miss, and choose the Premier League’s best centre-backs.

Expert pundit videos

“Di Matteo deserves his chance to manage Chelsea”

Roberto Di Matteo was unveiled as the new permanent manager of Chelsea this week. The Life’s A Pitch team discusses his chances of success.
The top man >

“Can Villas-Boas do any better than Redknapp did?”

The appointment of André Villas-Boas at Tottenham has raised a few eyebrows. Here the Life’s A Pitch panel assesses his chances of success.
Can AVB deliver? >

Who are the Premier League’s best centre-backs?

We’re picking a Premier League select XI. This week we look at centre-backs. But who will make the grade?
The big men >

Ramsey to Fulham, Man Utd eye Aimar, Kolarov to Juventus?

The Life’s A Pitch panel stop what they’re doing to discuss the latest transfer rumours and mark them out of 10.
Transfer talk >

Lively opinion blogs

Di Matteo’s illusion of authority at Chelsea

Despite winning the Champions League, FA Cup and a new two-year contract, Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo is still not in charge, says Mike Calvin.
The boss? >

Regime change at Watford is not all it’s cracked up to be

Watford might have rich new owners and Gianfranco Zola in charge, but Mike Calvin reckons being a feeder club to Udinese will see the club lose its soul.
All that glimmers… >

Could this be the beginning of something beautiful at Spurs?

Harry Redknapp might have been sacked, Luka Modric may soon be off, but Ethan Dean-Richards still sees plenty of reason for optimism at Tottenham.
The future’s bright >

Petric: Fulham’s unglamorous, yet effective signing

The signing of Mladen Petric might not have set pulses racing at Fulham, but as Jonathan Wilson explains, he’ll offer more consistency than Pavel Pogrebnyak.
Game changer >

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