Photo: Reuters / Stefan Wermuth

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club have come under criticisms in recent years for the number of managers they have sacked. The club has appointed nine managers in the last ten years.

Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has come to the defence of the owner.

The 39-year-old, speaking to RMC in France, said: “Everyone says Chelsea isn’t very stable. But in modern-day football, there is no coach who lasts more than three or four years at a club.

“I asked him [Abramovich]: ‘We have had how many managers in how many seasons?’ He replied: ‘But Didier, each time I have done it, we have got results.'”

“What’s happening now is normal,” added Drogba.

“Two years ago, they were on the brink of relegation. Last year, with one match a week, everything went well. The coach came in with drastic methods and the club became champions again.

“But most of the players have never been further than a Champions League quarterfinal or semifinal for a while.

“You have to get used to matches every three days again, get used to the demand for results, which is permanent, to the intensity.

“You have to be at your best every day, which isn’t easy.”