Ruud Gullit reveals awkward meeting with Todd Boehly – who had no idea who he is – and blasts Chelsea owners for having ‘NO IDEA what the club is all about’

• Dutch legend spent three seasons at Stamford Bridge as a player and a coach
• Gullit became the first foreign boss to win the FA Cup when he led Blues in 1997 
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ian Ladyman reveals his pick for best goalkeeper this season – and it’s NOT Alisson Becker 

By TUM BALOGUN

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.’

Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit has claimed that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly didn’t know who he was when they first met

The American led a consortium which purchased the club in 2022 following Roman Abramovich’s exit

Gullit spent three years at Stamford Bridge as a player and coach,  and led the side to the FA Cup in 1997

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. 

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Ruud Gullit reveals awkward meeting with Todd Boehly – who had no idea who he is – and blasts Chelsea owners for having ‘NO IDEA what the club is all about’

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