In many ways it was not shocking to see Roman Abramovich discarding Roberto Di Matteo like an unwanted toy after the 3 – 0 defeat to Juventus.

Di Matteo’s days were always numbered despite claiming the owner’s Holy Grail – the Champions League – in May.

The very fact that the Russian waited an entire month to confirm that his Champions League winning coach would take on a permanent role was evidence that Di Matteo was already skating on thin ice.

And before a recent blip, the Italian had impressed.

Third-placed Chelsea head in to this weekend’s clash against Premier League champions Manchester City, trailing by four points.

That is not a bad position to be in by any means.

Panic stations

But it is the club’s precarious position in the Champions League that seems to have caused panic stations at camp Abramovich.

Even if Chelsea beat Danish side Nordsjaelland, a draw for Juventus against Shakhtar in Ukraine will put the holders out – a possibility that will have Abramovich apoplectic with rage.

But even so Di Matteo has done a reasonable job this season, guiding a much-changed team to the upper reaches of the Premier League table.

Of course, there were questions marks over the Italian’s tactical nous and whether he could get the best of floundering forward Fernando Torres. But he should have been given time.

However, unlike oil, time is a commodity that Abramovich does not value - as eight permanent managers have discovered first-hand since 2004.

Ambition 

Abramovich’s burning ambition – if you can call it that – seems to be to win everything, every season, in a style every bit as attractive as Barcelona’s.

In order to achieve this “ambition” the latest object of his affection appears to be Pep Guardiola.

The former Barca coach is currently on a sabbatical which renders him unavailable for now.

But the Catalan is also a shrewd man and he will be aware of the Chelsea owner’s ruthless reputation.

Four Champions League winning coaches have been sacked by Abramovich already and there is no guarantee that Guardiola would not make that five if things were to go awry.

Like everyone in football, Guardiola knows that the Chelsea hotseat is not just hot. It is more like molten lava which makes it too uncomfortable for any manager to create their own permanent groove.