Tinkerman turns into demolition expert

The Chelsea coach said he was referring to a year ago, when a visit to watch Manchester United play Real Madrid whetted the Russian's appetite. It is unlikely that Abramovich's education in our favourite sport will have been much enhanced by watching last night's fiasco. Ranieri's substitutions, in fact, had old pros and young fans alike shaking their heads in disbelief.

Against Arsenal at Highbury, the Tinkerman got his tactics just right and the Kings Road celebrated.

In the antiseptic Stade Louis 11 Stadium last night, however, it was the home supporters who were happy. Most Chelsea fans were left scratching their heads and wondering just what the hell had happened.

Ranieri's Monaco counterpart Didier Deschamps said that coaches get 10 per cent of the credit when their team wins and 90 per cent of the blame when it loses.

In Ranieri's case last night, that is about right. The Italian's popularity must have spread to the principality following the home side's 3-1 first leg victory because the plain fact is that if he hadn't introduced a mystifying series of changes, there is a good chance Chelsea would have gone into the second leg with a draw or even a victory to defend

If, as Ranieri was supposed to have said in the Spanish interview, he really does feel he has the Abramovich sword embedded in his back, then it must have been twisted and finally plunged right up to the hilt last night.

Ranieri says he has known since 3 July, when Abramovich bought Chelsea, that whatever he achieved, the sack could come. He must feel it is a little closer now. Since that magnificent night at Highbury when the emotional Italian took off his glasses and wept tears of joy, the Chelsea wheel nuts have begun to work loose.

Two points from three Premiership matches against Middlesbrough, Aston Villa and Everton have ended their title hopes and encouraged third-placed Manchester United that they could overtake them.

Of course it's not over yet for Ranieri. His team, provided he picks the right one and sticks with it, could yet salvage a glorious victory out of the wreckage of the first leg but, as Ranieri admitted: "Only the best performance could help us now."

He also said that he would take the blame and not the players for the defeat in Monaco, but the way he said it convinced you he meant the opposite.

Ranieri has been faced with some tough challenges in his time at Chelsea and has beaten most of them. If he can pull this one out of the fire, though, Abramovich might even withdraw that sword and pat his coach on the back instead.

If not, then this genial Italian will go on working with a smile until someone puts him out of his misery.

When that day comes, probably now this summer, Ranieri will be okay. He will be well paid for his services and will move on to tinker with someone else's team.

Knowing him there will be no recriminations, no blame, no histrionics. He will walk away with dignity, Chelsea will move on and everyone will remember the Tinkerman with fondness, despite the mess last night in Monaco.