If you look back at the history of the Soviet Union, there are numerous examples of men rising through the ranks of the Communist Party and the Red Army into positions of power.

But almost all of these officials eventually fell from great heights after falling foul of the powers that be or simply outliving their usefulness, particularly during the Great Purges of the 1930s.

Names like former head of the Communist International Grigory Zinoviev and ex-Marshal of the Soviet Union Lavrentiy Beria are some of the most high-profile figures who fell from grace and then faced show trials and ultimately execution.

And although these figures held powerful positions within the Soviet hierarchy, they were merely pawns and their removal did not affect the stability of the Communist Party. Others were promoted in their stead and the cycle continued again.

Restricted

Substitute Zinoviev and Beria with Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho and six other permanent managers in the last nine years, and replace execution with generous compensation and a letter of thanks to the previous incumbent and you get an idea how Roman Abramovich wants Chelsea to function.

The Italian and the Special One were both parachuted in to the role based on their track records but neither was given room for manoeuvre.

Within the system imposed by the owner, a Chelsea manager is restricted to coaching the team and dealing with matchday tactics. In short, the manager is a pawn within the system - an expendable employee at the same level as the players.

Even a minor run of poor results is enough to warrant a sacking.

Transfers are the prerogative of the owner. Towards the end of Mourinho’s time at the club, Abramovich made two high-profile signings without consulting the Portuguese coach: Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack.

It was clear for all to see that Mourinho was not enamoured by the €37 million signing of the Ukrainian and rarely gave him a start during his final full season in charge.

And Mourinho’s unexpected departure from Chelsea in September 2007 was partly down to the fact that he refused to obey Abramovich’s wishes in regard to Shevchenko.

Similarly it is unlikely Carlo Ancelotti had any say in the transfer of Fernando Torres to the club in January 2011.

And when he too failed at his task of winning a major trophy in 2010-11 – months after claiming a historic first league and cup double for the club - he was ruthlessly banished in a corridor at Everton’s Goodison Park, a mere hour after the final game of the season. 

Owner's displeasure

Avram Grant was swiftly removed in 2008 despite getting the Blues to within a John Terry slip of a maiden Champions League crown. Last season Roberto Di Matteo went one better in Munich but had already incurred the owner’s displeasure even before he got the role.

Like Mourinho, Ancelotti, Grant and a whole host of high-profile managers, Di Matteo was mercilessly purged at the first opportunity. 

It is this ruthless system that will put doubts in Pep Guardiola’s mind. 

Just like former high-ranking Soviet officials who knew deep down that their positions were untenable in the long run, the former Barcelona coach knows full well that the Chelsea job has a short life span.

One slip-up, even a hint of discord with the owner will see him replaced.

The current system does suit the incumbent Rafa Benitez. The Spaniard is under pressure as knows he is on a short term deal until the summer. 

And by the time he may have achieved “world domination” albeit by bringing the Club World Cup back to Stamford Bridge. 

But he will point to 10 major trophies since 2003 as justification for his policies.