The 42-year-old Italian manager has parted ways with the Champions
League winners after a 3-0 defeat in Turin which left their chances of
retaining the trophy in tatters
The Blues needed a positive result in Turin
to maintain hopes of defending their European crown, but Antonio Conte's
side ran out comfortable winners with the English side looking likely
to become the competition’s first ever holders to be eliminated at the
group stage.
And with their Premier League form slipping after a
bright start, owner Roman Abramovich has decided to sack the manager,
with the club insisting that "results have not been good enough".
A statement on Chelsea's official website read: "Chelsea Football Club
has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo.
"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 face a season-defining
period over the coming weeks, with a clash against Premier League
champions Manchester City on November 25 followed by the must-win game
against Nordsjaelland on December 5.
The statement continued: "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."
Despite winning the Champions League and FA Cup after taking over from
Andre Villas-Boas in March 2012, Di Matteo is the latest in a long list
of managers who have failed to appease owner Abramovich.
After
winning seven of his eight opening Premier League games this season, two
points from the last four league matches and seven points from a
possible 15 in the Champions League sealed the Italian's fate.
The statement continued: "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.
"The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."
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