The 42-year-old Italian manager has
parted ways with the Champions League winners after a 3-0 defeat in Turin which
left their chances of retaining the trophy in tatters.
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.
And with their Premier League form slipping after a bright
start, owner Roman Abramovich has decided to sack the manager, with the club
insisting that "results have not been good enough".
A statement on Chelsea's official website read:
"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 face a season-defining period over the coming
weeks, with a clash against Premier League champions Manchester City on
November 25 followed by the must-win game against Nordsjaelland on December 5.
The statement continued: "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."
Despite winning the Champions League and FA Cup after taking
over from Andre Villas-Boas in March 2012, Di Matteo is the latest in a long
list of managers who have failed to appease owner Abramovich.
After winning seven of his eight opening Premier League
games this season, two points from the last four league matches and seven
points from a possible 15 in the Champions League sealed the Italian's fate.
The statement continued: "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."