Roberto Di Matteo has been sacked as Chelsea manager, with the club releasing a statement this morning to announce their decision. The statement outlined the reasoning behind the decision- "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."

Di Matteo took control of the club, initially as interim manager, following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in March of this year. Di Matteo led the club to its seventh FA Cup win and its first Champions League triumph, after a penalty shoot out win against Bayern Munich. Following this success, and an improvement in league form in the final weeks of the season, the former Chelsea midfielder was offered the managerial role on a permanent basis.

Di Matteo"s tactics in the Champions League were criticised across Europe, with many displeased with the negative style of play employed by Chelsea against stronger sides such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and there was speculation over the willingness of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to accept such negative football for his club.

This approach changed, however, following a summer tansfer policy aimed at young, creative players. Chelsea brought in exciting attacking talents such as Oscar and Eden Hazard and began the new season as a quick passing, attacking outfit. They started the season in free scoring form and, despite a slow down in recent weeks, have averaged two goals per game in the league.

The west London side are currently third in the Premier League table, sitting four points behind leaders Manchester City. A scintilating start to the season, with seven wins from the first eight games, has cooled in recent weeks as Chelsea have now gone four league games without a win.

A 3-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League last night has now made it highly improbable that the club can retain their Champions League trophy as they look set for a first round exit.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez has been touted as a temporary appointment to the job, with Pep Guardiola understood to be the long term target for Roman Abramovich. Chelsea said they "will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager."