Chelsea: Kings of Europe

Roman has done it again! After firing club legend Frank Lampard and replacing him with Thomas Tuchel, there was an outcry from Chelsea supporters. A few months on and the Russian's decision looks like a stroke of genius as the German maestro has delivered the game's biggest prize. After two triumphs in a decade, Abramovitch's controversial 'hire and fire' policy', which has seen the club hire and fire 15 different managers, is now starting to make sense.
The Champions League had eluded the Russian following his takeover in 2004: the ‘ghost’ goal defeat at Anfield in 2005, a penalty shoot-out defeat in the Moscow final against Manchester United, in 2008 and a scandolous refereeing performance against Barcelona in the semi-final a year later denied the Blues.
But in 2012, after eight years in charge, Abramovich’s dream of owning the best team in Europe was finally realised. As Didier Drogba was handed the trophy for the first time at the presentation in Munich, he handed it straight to the guy at the end looking as though he had gatecrashed the party.But this was no ordinary fan on the periphery.This was the guy whose billions helped create the Champions League winners.
Legendary football columnist Harry Harris follows the club's remarkable progress through both Champions League triumphs.