Football: A club in turmoil - Gullit 'astounded' by Chelsea sacking

All change at the Bridge: Dutchman ditched as breakdown in pay talks opens player-manager's door for Italian striker Vialli

RUUD GULLIT reacted with surprise and more than a hint of anger last night to the news that he had been dismissed by Chelsea. The Dutchman's 21-month reign at Stamford Bridge came to an abrupt end when he was replaced as player-manager by the former Italian international striker, Gianluca Vialli, one of his first signings for the club.

The exact sequence of events that led to Gullit's departure was disputed, but Ken Bates, the Chelsea chairman, said at a hastily arranged press conference at Stamford Bridge yesterday: "We were unable to match his demands."

Gullit, appointed Chelsea manager in succession to Glenn Hoddle in the summer of 1996, had a contract which was due to expire in June of this year and has reportedly been locked in negotiations over a new contract with Chelsea's managing director, Colin Hutchinson, since October.

Yesterday, however, Gullit denied that he had been involved in talks prior to a meeting last Thursday. "I was astounded to find out from the media that I have been replaced as Chelsea coach by Gianluca Vialli," he said.

" I was only asked to attend one meeting in the last six months to discuss the future. This meeting took place on 5 February, when Colin Hutchinson and myself talked very amicably about a new two-year extension to my contract.

"At no time during my discussion was there any doubt in my mind that I would re-sign. In fact, I specifically told anyone who asked that I would sign a new deal after more talks - there were no more talks. I am committed to Chelsea, and in particular to the fans, whose dreams I have tried so hard to fulfil.

"It is incorrect for Colin Hutchinson to state that Chelsea Football Club tried to negotiate with me for three months - there were no negotiations."

For his part, Hutchinson said in a statement yesterday: "Uncertainty about Ruud Gullit's future at Chelsea has dragged on for several months. We have been attempting to get Ruud to commit to an extension to contract beyond his present deal, which expires on 30 June 1998, since last October.

"The delay has become potentially damaging. Back-room staff with mortgages to pay couldn't be sure they would be in a job after the season ends. Because of Ruud's non-commitment we took the unusual step of guaranteeing first-team management staff a further one year employment should Ruud leave and his successor not require their services. For the good of the club and planning for next season the situation has had to be resolved...

"Ruud and I met last Thursday. During a 40-minute meeting it was established Ruud was prepared to extend by two years. For our part, we indicated that we wished the new contract could be as a manager only. We believed this would allow Ruud more time to concentrate on the team and enable him to get involved in new areas like going out to watch potential players, assess up-coming opposition and spend more time working on technique and skills with individual players after the normal training sessions.

"We have appreciated that Ruud has found it increasingly difficult combining playing and managing, despite us easing his workload. Unfortunately while we were prepared to give Ruud a contract which we believe would have made him the best-paid manager in the Premiership, we were not able to meet what he wanted and expected.

"We simply could not afford what he was asking. Naturally this was disappointing. Ruud was told at the end of the meeting that unfortunately the gap was too wide to allow further meaningful negotiations and that we would need to actively pursue lining up a replacement."

Vialli was apparently approached on Monday and was offered the job on Wednesday evening. According to Hutchison, Gullit did not hang around to hear the bad news. "I had a meeting with Ruud at lunchtime today," Hutchinson said. "But unfortunately it did not get as far as telling him that he was being replaced because he decided to call an abrupt end to the meeting.

Bates said: "I'm sorry that it's come to this but we had this problem two years ago when we had another manager [Glenn Hoddle] who wouldn't make his mind up until April and as we were already planning for next season it was important to ensure a smooth continuity.

"There may be supporters who are sad that he is leaving and there may be others who take a contrary view, but I am delighted to pay tribute to him. He took us on to a new plane as far as football was concerned. He helped make Chelsea one of the most talked about clubs in the world and he won us the FA Cup in his first season and will always be remembered for that. I'm sad he's leaving but one has to face up to facts."

While speculation will abound regarding Gullit's future - there are already suggestions that he might manage the Dutch national team or return to his former club, Milan - Vialli was looking forward to his new challenge. "I'm delighted and I have to say that I was amazed when Colin asked me if I was available," he said. "This is the most unbelievable thing that's happened in my career. I have a lot of great memories but this is something different even from the feeling of scoring a goal.

"I'm still a little confused but I'm very happy and I hope I can be the right person for the right job. When Colin asked me if I was available, I called some good friends for advice and they told me that I was suitable. But I'm just a beginner and I know it's going to be different from being a player. The supporters have been unbelievable with me over the past two seasons and I would just ask them to keep supporting the club and the team.

"I know that for the players it will be a bit difficult to go through this unusual situation but I hope they can go through it with maturity, which is the most important thing. I was one of the lads and I still am, but some things will have to change and what I want to do is improve the relationship between the manager and the players which is the key to any successful team."

The king is dead, long live the king

Ruud Gullit

1962: Born Surinam.

1978: Signs for Haarlem.

1981: Makes international debut.

1982: Joins Feyenoord.

1985: Joins PSV Eindhoven.

1987: Signed by Milan for pounds 5.5m. European and World Footballer of the Year.

1988: Leads Dutch to European crown.

1989: Wins European Cup with Milan.

1990: Wins European Cup again.

1993: Joins Sampdoria.

1994: Retires as international. Moves back to Milan then Sampdoria.

1995: Signs two-year contract with Chelsea.

1996: Appointed Chelsea player-coach.

1997: Guides Chelsea to FA Cup.

1998: Sacked as Chelsea manager.