Chelsea sack Di Matteo; Benitez lined up?

Chelsea have this afternoon sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo less than six afters after the Italian led the club to a first ever Champions League crown.

Di Matteo has been axed following the Blues' dismal 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League on Tuesday night - a result that left their hopes of reaching the last 16 hanging by a thread.

That coupled with a run of four games without a victory in the Premier League has seen Di Matteo pay the ultimate price leading Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to search for a NINTH manager since his takeover in 2003.

An official statement from the club read: “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.

“The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions. Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.

“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."

Rumours are already circulating that former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez will take up the post for the remainder of the season - news which is likely to welcomed by goal-shy Fernando Torres.

The Spaniard, dropped for Chelsea's match in Turin last night, flourished under his compatriot - currently in Abu Dhabi as a speaker at a sports conference - during their time together at Liverpool.

Benitez, out of work since his sacking at Internazionale in December 2010, is currently 1-5 ON with some leading London bookmakers, adding further fuel to an already raging fire.

More to follow...

 

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