Andre Villas-Boas: The Chelsea Manager's Job Is Safer Today Than Yesterday

Chelsea manager Andre-Villas-Boas can breathe a little easier as the under fire boss would be delighted to awake to news that has no direct impact on his club.

Former Chelsea manager and owner Roman Abramovich’s good friend Guus Hiddink accepted a position as the manager of the newly rich Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala.

Hiddink had been the favored name to replace Villas-Boas should Abramovich decide to make a move on the underperforming manager. In his first eight months in charge Villas-Boas has Chelsea in fifth place in the league and one of the worst record the club has seen since Abramovich became the owner.

With Jose Mourinho still speculating about a move back to England, the long-term safety of Villas-Boas is still in question. The Mourinho rumors have only further gained strength as Chelsea players have been said to be in contact with the club’s all-time winningest manager.

With Chelsea facing a major week ahead of them, the pressure off the back of Villas-Boas will be a relief.

The club has a fifth-round FA Cup tie against a not-to-be-underestimated Birmingham side and then heads off to Italy for the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Napoli.

Should Villas-Boas fail to get the expected results out of either of those matches, the hammer will surely come down on the 34-year-old.

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