Posted by By Transfer news at 4 March, at 20 : 30 PM Print

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovic has taken the hard step and sacked in-pressure manager Andre Villas-Boas, leaving the club at ground zero, as the season draws to a close.

Assistand manager Roberto Di Matteo, who managed at West Bromwich Albion earlier in his career, will take over the reigns at Stamford Bridge, in an attempt to save their UEFA Champions League ambitions for next season.

Chelsea confirmed the sacking through a statement, which read, “Andre Villas-Boas has parted company with Chelsea Football Club today.

“The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.

“Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.

“The club is still competing in the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.

“With that in mind, we felt our only option was to make a change at this time.

“With immediate effect, Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed first-team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season.”

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