Ranieri safe at Chelsea

13 April 2012

Claudio Ranieri has been assured of his future at Chelsea following talks with the club's new owner, Roman Abramovich.

Ranieri met the Russian billionaire for the first time yesterday and was told he will remain as manager despite speculation over Sven-Goran Eriksson, after Standard Sport revealed yesterday that the Swede met Abramovich last week.

Abramovich spent over an hour at the club's Harlington training ground and after meeting the players individually, spelt out his plans to Ranieri.

A source close to the manager said: "The meeting went well and Claudio will be staying. Abramovich took the time to talk to the players on a one-to-one basis and explained his vision for the club. He wants to bring in new players but will give the current squad the chance to prove itself."

Israeli agent Pini Zahavi, the man who brought Abramovich to Chelsea and is now advising him on football matters, took Eriksson to meet the Russian but he confirmed: "The coach is Ranieri - and he will remain the coach."

Chairman Ken Bates added: " They ( Ranieri and Abramovich) got on very well and most of the talking was about players. Efforts are now focusing on the preliminary rounds of the Champions League." Yesterday's meeting came as a relief to Ranieri following intense speculation over his future. Bookmakers have suspended bets on the Italian being the first Premiership manager to be sacked this season. The rumours reached fever pitch yesterday after the Abramovich-Eriksson meeting was revealed.

The pair met at the Russian's flat in Knightsbridge last Thursday and, according to sources close to the Russian, met again in Moscow before the England coach began a holiday in Sweden.

Eriksson was last night forced to issue a statement reaffirming his commitment to England and admitted the timing of the meetings was unfortunate. The Swede or close associates have been caught out talking to numerous clubs in the past, most notably Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Eriksson said: "I can confirm that last week I met with Pini Zahavi and the new owner of Chelsea Football Club - Roman Abr amovi ch. The meeting took place at Mr Abramovich's property in London-Due to the intense media profile given to Mr Abramovich's involvement with Chelsea, I accept that this meeting may create unfortunate speculation. Therefore, I would like to once again categorically re-affirm my total commitment to my role as England head coach. I am thoroughly enjoying the current European Championship qualifying campaign and I am looking forward to leading England to success in the future."

Zahavi added: "Eriksson has been a friend of mine for 25 years. He knows Mr Abramovich very well and they have met in the past. Eriksson wanted to wish him good luck in his new job. It was a social meeting, nothing more."

The influential Israeli, who played a key role in taking David Beckham to Real Madrid and Rio Ferdinand to Manchester United, is becoming increasingly important at Chelsea and has been been given the job of bringing the world's best players to Stamford Bridge. It is understood that Abramovich is happy with Chelsea's defence and wants to concentrate on recruiting attacking players.

Zahavi said: "Mr Abramovich is trying to get the best players possible. He will not buy defenders but wants to get the best midfielders and strikers in the world. Only the best available will do."

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