- Jan 20, 2006
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I think it's salutary to remember that Chelsea's success didn't just happen with the arrival of Mourinho and Abramovich's ill-gotten millions; it took over ten years' steady improvement under Hoddle, Gullit, Vialli and Ranieri (and lavish spending that took them to the verge of bankruptcy). They were serious CL contenders under Ranieri, and one wonders what might have happened if Ranieri hadn't taken his tinkering too far in the semi-final, beaten Monaco and gone on to lift the trophy against Mourinho's Porto.
Or look at Benitez at Liverpool. He took over there at the same time that Santini took over at Spurs, but this season is the first that they have really looked like serious title contenders. They are, despite pretty heavy spending, no closer to restoring their past dominance than when Houllier took over, or indeed when he left. Two pretty fortuitous trophies tend to mask that.
Or look at Benitez at Liverpool. He took over there at the same time that Santini took over at Spurs, but this season is the first that they have really looked like serious title contenders. They are, despite pretty heavy spending, no closer to restoring their past dominance than when Houllier took over, or indeed when he left. Two pretty fortuitous trophies tend to mask that.