<P> The first manager of Chelsea Football Club was John Tait Robertson, appointed in 1905 . The club's current manager is Antonio Conte . Chelsea have had 27 permanent managers (of whom four also served as player - manager), and nine short - term managers . Ron Suart and Roberto Di Matteo have served as both short - term manager and permanent manager . </P> <P> Chelsea's first ever manager was Scottish wing - half John Tait Robertson, who continued to play for the club until he resigned a year later . David Calderhead is Chelsea's longest - serving manager, holding the position from 1907--33, spanning 966 matches . Chelsea's shortest reigning permanent manager is Danny Blanchflower, who was in charge for 32 games . Statistically Chelsea's least successful manager is also Blanchflower, who won just 16% of his 32 matches in charge . </P>

Who was chelsea manager when abramovich took over