Chelsea owner Todd Boehly did not know who Ruud Gullit was when they first met, according to the Dutch footballing legend.
Gullit, the 1987 Ballon d'Or winner, ended his illustrious playing career with the Blues before going on to manage the side, first as a player-coach, for two seasons.
He holds the distinction as being the first foreign manager to win the FA Cup when he led the Blues to just their second crown in 1997. But in spite of his indelible mark on the history of the European game, nevermind the annals of Stamford Bridge, Blues owner Boehly had no idea who he was when they first met.
The American businessman led a consortium that purchased the west London outfit in 2022 following Roman Abramovich's departure but, according to Gullit, he did not familiarise himself with its rich history.
'I met the Chelsea owner, Todd Boehly, Introduced myself, "hi I am Ruud Gullit",' said the Dutchman on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet. 'Todd said: “What do you do?” Well I played football, also played and coached for Chelsea.
'Todd said: “Oh yeah, when did you play for Chelsea, what did you do for Chelsea?” He didn’t know.'
The Dutchman was making a broader point on the current state of English football and, in his view, the dominance of business-focused minds at the top of clubs.
'Can I blame him? No I don't think so,' he added. 'But this is what it is a little bit because they don't know what the club is all about.
'[Manchester United's] DNA is gone, you have a certain DNA and that has gone a little bit. [Arsenal] had a good DNA with Arsene Wenger, it went a little bit but now you have a new one under Mikel Arteta.
'The good thing, what I like for instance about Liverpool is that Jurgen Klopp gave them a DNA and then they got another coach who did exactly the same. Slight differences but almost the same. That's what you need to do.'
In addition to his successful spell at Stamford Bridge, Gullit also took charge of Newcastle in the Premier League. However, that spell was poor and is best remembered for his bust-up with talisman Alan Shearer.
Gullit's greatest contribution to the game came during his playing days when, alongside compatriots Marco van Basten and Frank Rijkaard, he formed AC Milan's 'Flying Dutchman'.
Under legendary coach Arirgo Sacchi, Milan won two Champions Leagues and three Italian Cups.
Gullit also achieved success on the international stage, captaining the Netherlands to the 1988 European Championship. He won the Ballon d'Or a year earlier after a superb campaign with the Rossoneri.
GaddafiJamal
0
chap mind your tongue! how many Americans know about soccer⚽........? you don't force popularity. these are serious investors, and mind you soccer is new territory for them. what matters is their investment, not Gullit. am glad Gullit was not surprised that someone didn't know him. you can't force popularity.
Exactly, Leave Chelshit Fans To Cry 🤧🤣
jasbdeksy
1
proves Americans just care about their own exposure and money and learn nothing about anyone else or any other country. they think the US is the world.
akiamo
1
no idea who he is either 🤣
exactly my point. though, personally, I do know him. by I don't expect everyone to know him.
akiamo
0
You’re there dumbest person on planet earth, imagine the owner of an organization who knows nothing about the core history of the organization will definitely fail, obvious he’s never been a fan of the club and neither are you.
chap mind your tongue! how many Americans know about soccer⚽........? you don't force popularity. these are serious investors, and mind you soccer is new territory for them. what matters is their investment, not Gullit. am glad Gullit was not surprised that someone didn't know him. you can't force popularity.
Touacmnsy
0
Chelsea need serius striker he can score more than 25 goals to complete with Hallaand and Salah
you are very correct. that's the truth. no wonder he's killed Chelsea that much.
rosbelpuz
2
Football is not Americans game at 70- 90s , they focused more on basketball. Ask todd boehly who maggic Johnson,Ben Johnson he will not ask you who they are? Americans believed in themselves and see themselves as the best in the world so I can't blame Todd Boehly
Chafoh
1
Todd Boehly doesn't know football, he only likes football business.
Mika02
0
You’re there dumbest person on planet earth, imagine the owner of an organization who knows nothing about the core history of the organization will definitely fail, obvious he’s never been a fan of the club and neither are you.
I second you on that Boehly seems to only care about the profit not Chelsea as an organisation and What it means
Hikcdeiot
0
Chelsea need serius striker he can score more than 25 goals to complete with Hallaand and Salah
miguelbumba
0
A Ballon D'Or winner, a former player and coach of Chelsea FC, won FA cup for Chelsea , a European Champion, unknown, historically and remotely, to a current owner of Chelsea FC. Boehly doesn't know the history, the personalities that shaped that history, of the London Club, Chelsea FC, the Pride of London, he bought. The question then is: What did Boehly buy? The carcass of Chelsea, not the soul. No wonder Boehly is making a mess of Chelsea FC.
He's after the money it generates and nothing else. The same can't be said about Roman..
miguelbumba
1
Boehly is an american businessman who is unsurprisingly purely after money (the same can't be said about Roman Abrahamovic). But Todd shouldn't be held accountable alone cos he was given it on a silver plate (and therefore co acquired) thru a political tussle; the British government has its hands on it as well ofc. Not knowing who Gullit is says a lot about the guy..
Emperor_lummy
1
who cares what Todd knows and doesn't know? so long he pays 💰 for new players and also invest in the future of the. club!
You’re there dumbest person on planet earth, imagine the owner of an organization who knows nothing about the core history of the organization will definitely fail, obvious he’s never been a fan of the club and neither are you.
Redfan
3
Typical uneducated American who made loads of money...
yutacilrst
8
Americans are poor in history and geography
akiamo
2
who cares what Todd knows and doesn't know? so long he pays 💰 for new players and also invest in the future of the. club!
jasondrx77
2
no idea who he is either 🤣
kolonegooner
3
What a joy to watch. The vision, the flare the finesse .... Joga Bonito
tadaceptuz
7
A Ballon D'Or winner, a former player and coach of Chelsea FC, won FA cup for Chelsea , a European Champion, unknown, historically and remotely, to a current owner of Chelsea FC. Boehly doesn't know the history, the personalities that shaped that history, of the London Club, Chelsea FC, the Pride of London, he bought. The question then is: What did Boehly buy? The carcass of Chelsea, not the soul. No wonder Boehly is making a mess of Chelsea FC.