When the media decides a manager is not to its liking for whatever reason, it takes time, trophies and charm to turn it around because humble pie is not a diet the press enjoys.
Andre Villas-Boas has done little to sell himself in a positive way. Confidence is one thing but when it is perceived to cross the line into arrogance then any mistake by that person is jumped upon. During the Portuguese's nine months at Chelsea, his mistake was to try and fail miserably to break up the Gang Of Four — Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba — heavyweight personalities and strong players who had been the backbone of the Blues' success under Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti.
Some claimed they wielded too much power and influence at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea needed them — and needed them more than it did AVB, who was replaced by Roberto di Matteo in March. Two months later, Chelsea was the champion of Europe.
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