Claudio Ranieri may have failed to win anything during his two seasons in charge at Stamford Bridge - and endured numerous tabloid reports questioning his appointment in the process - but his side's recent form seems to have persuaded Ken Bates to keep the Italian around a bit longer.
Ranieri today confirmed that he has been offered a two-year extension to his current contract, one that will keep him at Stamford Bridge until 2005.
"The president [that's Ken Bates by the way] has offered me a further two years," he said.
Ranieri, who signed a three-year contract when he took over from fellow countryman Gianluca Vialli 18 months ago, struggled initially both with the language and implementing his style of play on his team.
But slowly, since getting rid of the old guard of Dennis Wise, Frank Leboeuf and Gus Poyet to reduce the age of his squad last summer, his youthful side have started to come together.
After a patchy season, which has seen wins at Old Trafford and St James' Park followed immediately by home defeats to Charlton and Southampton respectively, Chelsea have at last become more consistent.
The Blues have won their last four matches, scoring 15 goals in the process and conceding only two, as they've moved up the league and into the FA Cup semi-finals. And with Newcastle faltering, they are also now just three points off a Champions League place.
It appears to have been this recent form that has convinced President Ken to extend Ranieri's deal. However Chelsea fans will need no reminding that it won't take much for Bates to change his mind.
