Ruud Gullit has insisted his sacking from Chelsea was a power game and had nothing to do with actual football.
A Bola have an interview with the former Chelsea boss today in which he discusses his old club, his departure and the current situation at Stamford Bridge.
Gullit was officially player coach at Chelsea from July 1996 to February 1998, his first managerial role in the game as his playing career came to a close.
He would manage the Blues for 83 games in total, enjoying a 1.73 points per game ratio and winning the FA Cup in 1996/97 with them. He also led the side to the final in 1998 where they were beaten 5-3 by Manchester United.
That trophy was the club’s first major trophy in 26 years but was not enough to save him the following season as he was sacked, despite Chelsea sitting second in the Premiership and in the quarter finals of both cup competitions.
Reports at the time stated that the sacking came after a disagreement with the club’s board over compensation, something Gullit disputed. He now insists that his exit was a power game and had nothing to do with football.
“It was a strange thing and it still is being sacked when you are successful,” he said.
“Eventually the truth came out. My sacking had nothing to do with football; it was about people behind the scenes trying to make deals that I didn’t agree with.
“Those individuals were later removed, but by then it was too late. Fortunately, the club changed course under Abramovich.”
