Chelsea legend Claude Makelele quits as manager of club after just THREE matches as reason for shock exit given

Former Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has reportedly left his role as Asteras Tripolis boss after just three matches as manager.

The ex-France destroyer became manager of Greek side Asteras in mid-September and enjoyed a three-game unbeaten run before parting company with his new employers.

The Greek outfit drew their first game with Makelele in charge 1-1 before following that up with a draw by the same scoreline before his final game, which ended in a 3-1 success away at Kallithea.

Reports from the Greek outlet EPT have suggested the reason for his departure was a difference in the club and Makelele’s respective philosophies. A lack of cohesion in the dressing room was also mentioned as a contributing factor in the report.

Several footballing cult heroes currently play for the side, with Hungarian Martin Adam and former Manchester United forward Federico Macheda among their first-team squad.

The former Chelsea man’s previous jobs in coaching saw him travel across Europe.

He was PSG’s assistant manager from 2011 to 2014 following his retirement from playing just after the turn of the decade.

Makelele then took on a managerial role at fellow French side Bastia before a short spell as assistant manager at Swansea City in 2017.

After exiting the Welsh side, he enjoyed two years at Belgian side Eupen but had a five-year absence from management before joining Asteras.

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Although his managerial stints have been less than successful, the 51-year-old has a passion for coaching young players.

“When I arrived [at Chelsea], I was coaching them individually, this is the way to go, making them understand the way they are supposed to play, and that will let your quality come through,” Makelele told The Athletic in March 2024.

“One example is Trevoh Chalobah, who was playing as a midfielder.

“I made him understand he was not a midfielder — you need to play behind (in defence), because that allows you to see the game. So we talked a lot. He tried one time, and he said he was comfortable like this, and he started making his way.”

Makelele’s advice seemed to have worked, as Chalobah broke into Chelsea’s first-team as a defender. After several seasons at Stamford Bridge, the defender joined Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window on a season-long loan deal.

Makelele is expected to return to his native France in the coming days with his next move unclear.