Sport

Ranieri leaving Bridge on a sigh

Chelsea - 1 Leeds Utd - 0: No matter the £6 million pay-off, money will not make the end any easier for Claudio Ranieri

Matt Scott at Stamford Bridge
Mon May 17 2004 - 01:00

Chelsea - 1 Leeds Utd - 0: No matter the £6 million pay-off, money will not make the end any easier for Claudio Ranieri. "It is not important to be rich. It will not change my life. It will change my life if I leave Chelsea," he said.

And how. Though most of Chelsea's fans accept it is time for him to move on, they turned the second half into a stunning tribute to the Italian's colourful reign as chants of "Ranieri's blue-and-white army" rang out. More worryingly for Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon, however, the Shed's appeal to "stand up if you hate Kenyon" brought an almost unanimous response.

The fans acknowledge Ranieri's tactical shortcomings have cost them the chance of silverware this season - as has happened in each of his four seasons in charge - but are dismayed at the ruthless treatment he has suffered.Ranieri has not been told of his destiny and he believes it will not be until after the Champions League final, when Porto coach Jose Mourinho's season will be completed, that he will learn his fate.

His is not the only uncertain future at Stamford Bridge. Adrian Mutu and Juan Sebastian Veron were absent from the post-match parade. Claims that their injuries kept them away surely do not stand up, since Damien Duff, his twice-dislocated shoulder in a sling, could make an appearance.

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The turnover of personnel at Chelsea will not match that at Leeds. Caretaker manager Kevin Blackwell confirmed four or five players would be sold and a similar number of contracts would not be renewed.

Leeds' England under-21 goalkeeper Scott Carson could do nothing to stop Jesper Gronkjaer making it three goals in as many games with a header from Glen Johnson's cross.

CHELSEA: Cudicini, Melchiot, Gallas, Terry (Huth 85), Bridge, Gronkjaer, Makelele, Lampard (Nicolas 90), Johnson (Stanic 82), Cole, Gudjohnsen. Subs Not Used: Ambrosio, Crespo. Goals: Gronkjaer 20.

LEEDS: Carson, Richardson, Duberry, Radebe, Harte, Kelly, Matteo, Olembe (Barmby 80), Wilcox (Pennant 61), Milner, Smith. Subs Not Used: Allaway, McPhail, Kilgallon.

Referee: M Dean (Wirral).