Following recent friction over recruitment, BlueCo are exploring a fresh direction for Strasbourg by targeting an ex-Chelsea player to succeed Gary O’Neil.
Gary O’Neil and Strasbourg have come to a bit of a tipping point, with immense friction developing between the English manager and club owners BlueCo.
Tensions boiled over publicly following Strasbourg’s devastating semi-final exits in both the Coupe de France and the UEFA Conference League. A furious O’Neil took direct aim at the Chelsea owners, openly accusing them of “messing up” the January transfer window by actively weakening his squad.
Strasbourg concluded their Ligue 1 season in eighth place with 53 points, missing out on next season’s European qualification by a single position. Coupled with painful semi-final exits in the Coupe de France and Conference League, this narrow miss has made things worse.
Does Liam Delap deserve a chance under Xabi Alonso?🤔
Perhaps he can work his magic on him!
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Filipe Luis wanted by BlueCo at Strasbourg
French reporter MohamedTERParis has claimed that Gary O’Neil’s future is fragile and Filipe Luis is appreciated by BlueCo.
BlueCo had held talks with Luis about becoming the Chelsea manager before Xabi Alonso’s arrival, but it wasn’t to be.
Since retiring from playing, the 40-year-old has built a highly impressive coaching reputation in his native Brazil. Luis rapidly climbed the ranks within Flamengo’s setup, successfully managing their Under-17 and Under-20 sides before taking over the senior team.
He even ended up guiding Flamengo’s first team to major silverware, including the Copa do Brasil.
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BlueCo’s ruthless managerial strategy is not helping
BlueCo’s relentless churn of managers across Chelsea and Strasbourg is actively destabilising both clubs rather than driving success.
By treating established coaches like Gary O’Neil or previous Stamford Bridge bosses as replaceable pieces the moment friction arises is just cowardly. It just ends up ruining dressing room morale and disrupting long-term squad development.
With Xabi Alonso, there should be a difference in approach, especially given the assurances.
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