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Rafa in the race as Di Matteo gets the boot
Source: AFP |
November 22, 2012, Thursday
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CHELSEA manager Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked after the European champion was left facing elimination at the group stage of the Champions League, the club said yesterday.
"Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo," a statement said, following Tuesday's 0-3 defeat by Juventus.
Chelsea said the team's "recent performances and results have not been good enough".
"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," they added.
Tuesday's loss in Turin means Chelsea is poised to become the first ever Champions League winner to be knocked out in the group phase the following season.
Even victory at home to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in its final group match may not be enough, as a draw between Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk in the other Group D game would take both sides into the last 16.
Champions League title
Di Matteo was only appointed on a permanent basis in June, having led Chelsea to its first ever Champions League title after replacing his sacked predecessor Andre Villas-Boas in March.
"The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March," Chelsea added, saying the Italian "will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge".
The statement continued: "The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."
Di Matteo, 42, is the seventh coach to have been sacked by owner Roman Abramovich since the Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003.
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was immediately installed as the bookmakers' favorite to succeed Di Matteo on a permanent basis.
Speaking during a coaching seminar in Abu Dhabi, he confirmed his interest in the position, but did not say whether or not he had been approached by Chelsea.
"What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies, so Chelsea is one of these clubs," he told newspaper The National.
Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach, and ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp were also rumored to be in the running.
"Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with Manager Roberto Di Matteo," a statement said, following Tuesday's 0-3 defeat by Juventus.
Chelsea said the team's "recent performances and results have not been good enough".
"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," they added.
Tuesday's loss in Turin means Chelsea is poised to become the first ever Champions League winner to be knocked out in the group phase the following season.
Even victory at home to Danish side FC Nordsjaelland in its final group match may not be enough, as a draw between Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk in the other Group D game would take both sides into the last 16.
Champions League title
Di Matteo was only appointed on a permanent basis in June, having led Chelsea to its first ever Champions League title after replacing his sacked predecessor Andre Villas-Boas in March.
"The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March," Chelsea added, saying the Italian "will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge".
The statement continued: "The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."
Di Matteo, 42, is the seventh coach to have been sacked by owner Roman Abramovich since the Russian billionaire bought the club in 2003.
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez was immediately installed as the bookmakers' favorite to succeed Di Matteo on a permanent basis.
Speaking during a coaching seminar in Abu Dhabi, he confirmed his interest in the position, but did not say whether or not he had been approached by Chelsea.
"What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies, so Chelsea is one of these clubs," he told newspaper The National.
Pep Guardiola, the former Barcelona coach, and ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp were also rumored to be in the running.
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