We believed this would allow Ruud more time to concentrate on the team and enable him to get involved in new areas like going out to watch potential players, assess up-coming opposition and spend more time working on technique and skills with individual players after the normal training sessions."We have appreciated that Ruud has found it increasingly difficult combining playing and managing, despite us easing his workload. For the good of the club and planning for next season the situation has had to be resolved..."Ruud and I met last Thursday. During a 40-minute meeting it was established Ruud was prepared to extend by two years. For our part, we indicated that we wished the new contract could be as a manager only.
Because of Ruud's non-commitment we took the unusual step of guaranteeing first-team management staff a further one year employment should Ruud leave and his successor not require their services. Back-room staff with mortgages to pay couldn't be sure they would be in a job after the season ends. In fact, I specifically told anyone who asked that I would sign a new deal after more talks - there were no more talks. I am committed to Chelsea, and in particular to the fans, whose dreams I have tried so hard to fulfil."It is incorrect for Colin Hutchinson to state that Chelsea Football Club tried to negotiate with me for three months - there were no negotiations."For his part, Hutchinson said in a statement yesterday: "Uncertainty about Ruud Gullit's future at Chelsea has dragged on for several months. We have been attempting to get Ruud to commit to an extension to contract beyond his present deal, which expires on 30 June 1998, since last October."The delay has become potentially damaging. This meeting took place on 5 February, when Colin Hutchinson and myself talked very amicably about a new two-year extension to my contract."At no time during my discussion was there any doubt in my mind that I would re-sign.
"I was astounded to find out from the media that I have been replaced as Chelsea coach by Gianluca Vialli," he said." I was only asked to attend one meeting in the last six months to discuss the future. The Dutchman's 21-month reign at Stamford Bridge came to an abrupt end when he was replaced as player-manager by the former Italian international striker, Gianluca Vialli, one of his first signings for the club. The exact sequence of events that led to Gullit's departure was disputed, but Ken Bates, the Chelsea chairman, said at a hastily arranged press conference at Stamford Bridge yesterday: "We were unable to match his demands." Gullit, appointed Chelsea manager in succession to Glenn Hoddle in the summer of 1996, had a contract which was due to expire in June of this year and has reportedly been locked in negotiations over a new contract with Chelsea's managing director, Colin Hutchinson, since October.Yesterday, however, Gullit denied that he had been involved in talks prior to a meeting last Thursday. RUUD GULLIT reacted with surprise and more than a hint of anger last night to the news that he had been dismissed by Chelsea. But the ruling only applies to Martin, and to the PGA Tour, which Martin took to court under the Americans with Disabilities Act. Given the disparate governing bodies in the game, it will still be a while before Martin can ride a buggy in a major championship. Should he try to qualify for the US Open or the Open Championship, he will have to walk.Although the US Golf Association is reviewing its conditions in light of the judgment, David Fay, its executive director, had stated that they will not change the entry conditions for the US Open, which require competitors to walk.However, the Royal and Ancient secretary, Michael Bonallack, said there would be no review for the regulations governing the Open Championship, which state that "players shall walk at all times during a stipulated round unless permitted to ride by the Championship Committee''.. "I spent a lot of time with them today and they are very disturbed." Pakistan threatened to pull out of the tour unless given assurances on security, but then requested a delay because of their injury problems..
CASEY MARTIN, the 25-year-old American golfer who suffers from a degenerative circulatory condition in his lower right leg which prevents him from being able to walk 18 holes, has won the right to use a buggy in competition, writes Andy Farrell However, the Open may still be closed to him. The landmark ruling, handed down by the US Magistrate Tom Coffin in Martin's home town of Eugene, Oregon, means he can use a cart in US PGA and Nike Tour events. Saqlain required a neck brace, while Mohammad was stabbed in his bowling hand. "It's not only the physical damage that has been done but the psychological disturbance," Bacher said. There are substantial ramifications if we call it off for the weekend or postpone it for a week." The delay follows an assault on the off-spinner Saqlain and opening bowler Mohammad on Wednesday evening. The pair were set upon by three men just yards from their hotel as they strolled to a nearby restaurant.Their assailants got away with only about pounds 7.50 but left the players bruised and beaten.