Pat Nevin breaks silence after being axed by Chelsea 'without explanation'

01 December 2023 , 11:53

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Pat Nevin worked for Chelsea for 13 years (Image: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images)

Pat Nevin insists he has no hard feelings after being ditched from his roles at Chelsea without being given an explanation by his former club.

Chelsea decided at the start of the season that Nevin would no longer be needed to write columns for the programme and website, or provide co-commentary for the club’s in-house feed. The 60-year-old, who made 242 appearances for Chelsea between 1983 and 1988, had become part of the furniture at the club, writing around 750 articles over 13 years.

But The Telegraph reported that he was dumped without being given an explanation. Nevin was not informed of his position over the summer before being handed a message saying his written work was no longer required. He was never told about co-commentary, yet hasn’t been invited so far this season.

Nevin tweeted: “Such kind sentiments re my CFC departure. Thank you all. So kind of everyone, but honestly don’t stress-others losing their jobs and now in dire financials circs are more worthy of consideration. I’m happy, busy, (promoting my recent book for Xmas and BBC work)”.

“There are no bad feelings, you just shrug your shoulders and move on,” he told the Telegraph. “A few people have told me I should be angry about the way I found out, but that’s not me. I’ve never really been like that. I’ve got no high expectations just because I played for the club or anything like that. You do a job and then you don’t.”

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One fan replied to his post, writing: “Big misstep from the club Pat, but hopefully get to see you more elsewhere from now on.” Another added: “Disgraceful Pat. Hopefully be back in some capacity soon.” A third wrote: “You will be missed sir. I wish you all the best and mark my words, you were right about the criticising the recruitment process of the Chelsea hierarchy.”

Pat Nevin works as a co-commentator for BBC Radio 5 Live (Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Despite his strong links to Chelsea, Nevin has not been shy about giving his opinion on the club, who were taken over by a consortium led by Todd Boehly in May 2022. Writing for BBC Sport in November, he said: “For all the possession stats, chances created and positive expected goals, 18 months on and it is the same old story for the ‘all-new Clearlake Chelsea’. Around £1 billion spent and they still can’t field a fit regular goalscorer.”

Chelsea are 10th in the Premier League with just four wins from 13 games this season, despite their huge outlay on players since Boehly’s arrival. Mauricio Pochettino has so far struggled to turn things around, with injuries and a lack of consistency major problems.

Felix Keith