Chelsea Football Club has sacked its Manager, Roberto Di Matteo, as a result of its poor run in the Champions League.
Chelsea lost on Tuesday 0-3 to Juventus, in a match the host deserved to win in the group stage of the Champions League.
The win by Juventus puts Chelsea’s going beyond the group stage at the mercy of Shakhtar FC defeating Juventus in Donetsk, a feat pundits have said is impossible.
And even if Juventus falls, Chelsea itself must defeat FC Nordsjaelland at Stamford Bridge to qualify.
If Chelsea loses out in the group stage of the Champions League, it will be the first time a cup holder will be eliminated in the preliminary round.
In justifying the sack of Matteo, the management of Chelsea said in a statement on Wednesday that the team’s performance and results have not been good enough.
This, the Board and the owner said, calls for a change.
The statement reads in full: “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 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.
“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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