The March international break will complete the 48-nation list for this summer’s World Cup across the pond, and a former Chelsea assistant manager is two games away from managing one of those 48.
If you live under a rock, Cole Palmer and Thomas Tuchel’s England have been drawn in Group L of the World Cup alongside Ghana, Croatia, and Panama, in what is a new-look version of the World Cup.
That new-look version has increased the number of participants from 32 to 48, meaning many more games and plenty of new countries taking part. Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde have all qualified.
What position would Chelsea be in NOW if Enzo Maresca was still in charge?
Be honest!
So far, 42 nations have qualified, with six spots still up for grabs and to be sorted out over the next two weeks. Wales, Ireland, and Northern Ireland are all in play-off action this week, hoping to qualify.
But a former Chelsea assistant manager is battling to win one of those remaining six spots, too. Suriname are in action on Thursday night against Bolivia, with Henk ten Cate hoping for success in Mexico.
Henk ten Cate lasted less than a year as Chelsea assistant
After defeats to Aston Villa and Man United, and failing to beat Blackburn and Liverpool, Jose Mourinho made the shock decision to leave by mutual consent in 2007, during Roman Abramovich’s era.
It left Chelsea without a manager, and Abramovich moved quickly, appointing director of football Avram Grant as boss. The Israeli gaffer would remain in charge of Chelsea until the end of the season.
Middlesbrough v Chelsea
Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Grant took Chelsea to the Champions League final, only to lose on penalties. He was flanked by assistant manager ten Cate, who Abramovich himself had lured to the club from Ajax to support Grant.
Ten Cate was well-liked by players and fans alike during his year at Chelsea, having worked at Ajax and Barcelona as an assistant and as a manager at plenty of other clubs. He left after Grant was sacked.
Despite being informed he would remain at Chelsea in some capacity, Abramovich decided to sack ten Cate two days after Grant’s departure. Now, 16 years later, ten Cate is on the precipice of the World Cup.
Ten Cate and Suriname face Bolivia in semi-final play-off
Since leaving Chelsea, ten Cate has worked worldwide. He’s managed clubs in Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, China, the United Arab Emirates, and the Netherlands before entering National Team management.
Out of Andrey Santos, Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian, who deserves a World Cup place the most?🤔
Carlo Ancelotti thinks it's Estevao…
Joao Pedro, Andrey Santos and Estevao Willian's World Cup chances
Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images
Now 71, ten Cate takes Suriname into a World Cup semi-final play-off against Bolivia on Thursday night in Monterrey, Mexico. The winner then takes on Iraq for a place in Group I, alongside France and Senegal.
A huge week for ten Cate and his new-look Suriname squad, who have called up plenty of players with Suriname heritage, including Leeds United striker Joel Piroe. All eyes are on Thursday night in Mexico.
There are plenty of other former Chelsea managers at the World Cup, including Tuchel and Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti. Mauricio Pochettino leads the United States, and Steve Clarke is in charge of Scotland.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Chelsea content each week direct to your mailbox