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After steering Chelsea to a historic Champions League trophy that had eluded owner Roman Abramovich since he bought the club, Chelsea have sacked Roberto Di Matteo. Ironically, it was after a 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the same competition and the prospect of being knocked-out in the group stages that led to his sacking. TKTG has gathered the best articles on RDM’s sacking below:
Goal.com – Chelsea Sack Di Matteo after Juventus defeat
Chelsea have sacked Roberto Di Matteo following the 3-0 defeat to Juventus on Tuesday evening which left the club’s prospects of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages hanging by a thread.
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.
BBC – Roberto Di Matteo sacked by Chelsea after Juventus defeat
Di Matteo won the Champions League and FA Cup as caretaker manager last season and was given a two-year deal in June.
But in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to Juventus, which has left the Blues on the brink of a Champions League exit, he has left Stamford Bridge.
“The club will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first-team manager,” a statement said.
Owner Roman Abramovich, who is looking for a ninth manager since taking over at Stamford Bridge in 2003, is known to be a long-term admirer of former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
However it is not known whether Guardiola is willing to end his sabbatical from football and Abramovich has made contact with former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez to gauge his interest in taking charge on a short-term basis.
The club’s Russian benefactor made contact with Benitez before Tuesday’s defeat in Italy as he assessed his options.
Soulless but successful: Abramovich deserves recognition not rebuke despite harsh Di Matteo sacking
Under Abramovich, Chelsea have ascended to the top of the English and European game, at the cost of all credibility and integrity. They have spent ludicrous sums, sacked managers on an almost yearly basis, alienated club legends such as Steve Clarke and Ray Wilkins, and kept a man found guilty of racist abuse as their captain because he is still a valuable ‘asset’. At some point, every discerning follower of this club must have asked themselves: “Is it worth it?”
As far as exacting change goes, however, it is irrelevant – no more than a moral quandary. For Chelsea under Abramovich are the most absolute of dictatorships, with a lone voice barking orders from the darkness. When the likes of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar are brought in for a combined £80 million, being a billionaire’s play-thing feels pretty good. Only on days like this is the heartlessness and senselessness of it all dwelt upon.
ESPN FC – Chelsea could turn to Rafa Benitez
Chelsea could make an approach for Rafa Benitez after Roberto Di Matteo’s exit following their Champions League defeat at Juventus.
…The Times reports that “Abramovich has been in direct contact with Benitez” as the Russian seeks a temporary appointment until the end of the season, amid his interest in securing the long-term services of former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola.
Benitez, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, has been out of work since leaving Inter Milan in December 2010, while Guardiola is currently on a sabbatical following his impressive four years in charge of Barca.
What are your feelings about the Di Matteo’s sacking? Was Roman justified in his decision considering the recent run of bad form or is this an example of the oligarch’s fickle approach? Let us know.
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