Chelsea sack Roberto Di Matteo

The curtains have closed on Roberto Di Matteo’s tenure as Chelsea manager.

Chelsea have sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo, the club’s website has confirmed.

A statement released by the club on their official site said, ‘The team’s recent performances and results have not been good enough and the owner and the Board felt that a change was necessary now to keep the club moving in the right direction as we head into a vitally important part of the season.’

Chelsea lost their Champions League match against Juventus 3-0 last night, which now seems was the last straw before the decision to sack Matteo was taken.

The club went on to thank Di Matteo, saying,

‘The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March. Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club’s history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.’

Today’s press reports from Britain had indicated the increasing possibility of Pep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez or even Avram Grant as possible successors to Di Matteo.

An announcement regarding the new manager is expected to be announced by the club later.

A list of Chelsea managers who have been given the sack since the arrival of Abramovich in 2004 can be found here.