Di Matteo left feeling Blue

This morning it was announced that Chelsea Football Club have sacked manager Roberto Di Matteo after only eight months in charge.

In a statement released by the club, they declared the two sides had parted ways because “The team’s recent performances and results have not been good enough”. Presently Chelsea FC are comfortably sitting third in the Barclays Premier League, just four points off the top of the table. However, it appears that the Chelsea board have had a knee jerk reaction following last night’s 3-0 trouncing away to Italian giants Juventus in the Champions League.

Some believe that after replacing previous manager Andre Villas-Boas the writing has been on the wall for Di Matteo, since Chairman Roman Abramovich reluctantly gave the Italian the top job after a string of remarkable successes which led Chelsea to Champions League and FA Cup glory.

However speculation has been rife since Di Matteo took over, that the Chelsea hierarchy were second guessing their decision and were constantly on the lookout for a replacement. The common consensus was that ex Barcelona head honcho Pep Guardiola was favourite to replace Di Matteo after being the latest to be linked with the Stamford Bridge job.

The biggest surprise about this whole situation is that Di Matteo is the first managerial casualty of the season in the league. Especially unexpected bearing in mind Mark Hughes is at present fighting for his job across London with bottom of the league Queens Park Rangers.

So what next for Chelsea? Early reports this morning are linking ex Liverpool gaffer Rafael Benitez with the vacant post. Although, if rumours are to be believed, it is the out of work Guardiola that Abramovich has his eye on and wants next in place at the Chelsea helm.

The thought of having arguably the most successful club manager in the last few years in the Premier League is extremely tantalising for neutrals. On the other hand, the unfortunate Di Matteo must feel hugely let down by the club, after guiding them to the coveted Champions League trophy for the first time in their history. It is a huge shame that after such triumphs he gets the chop after a few uneventful draws and a defeat.

According to the Chelsea statement “The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager” it appears that they may possibly have an agreement with another manager already in place and all they had to do was fire Di Matteo and tie up that loose end before they announce their new man in charge. We will wait and see.

What next for the unlucky now ex Chelsea manager Di Matteo? With a recent resume like his it shouldn’t be too difficult for the former West Brom boss to get back into the management arena. You never know, I hear another job in West London may be available sooner rather than later.

by dryan1989

Source: http://thedavidryan.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/blue-is-the-colour-for-di-matteo/