Why the writing's on the wall for AVB and owners need to learn when to put up and when to shut up

By Mark Lawrenson

Published 21:30 17/02/12

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Andre Villas-Boas is facing a huge week. First, Birmingham in the FA Cup and then Napoli in the Champions League.

It’s make-or-break. But does anyone really believe Villas-Boas will be there for the long term?

Roman Abramovich is not known for patience and understanding when it comes to managers.

The Chelsea owner appoints them, changes his mind and fires them.­

Compensation and switching managers is not a concern. Sorry, Andre, but the writing is on the wall.

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Chris Hughton has been ­Birmingham’s signing of the season.

He has been sensational, just as he was at Newcastle.

Hughton has been a firefighter, miracle worker and football manager. I know him from Republic of Ireland days and I can tell you he’s a cracking bloke, too.

For Blues to be where they are now on the back of relegation, boardroom turmoil and selling players is nothing short of incredible.

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Mick McCarthy had it with Steve Morgan. Roman Abramovich is a regular at the Chelsea training ground.

Owners, chairmen and chief executives coming into the dressing room will always be a hot topic because it raises the question as to whether a manager is undermined by their presence.

But the old Liverpool chairman John Smith would come into our dressing room before EVERY game.

He would address every player ­individually, have a little chat and it was never a problem.

There has to be an understanding he is not demeaning the manager – which McCarthy clearly thought happened at Molineux.

Ultimately, the owner or chairman pays the players’ wages and, in my book, that entitles him to have a say.

But if he wants the manager to succeed, then it has to be done at the right time and in the right circumstances.

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