Di Matteo Dismissed

Chelsea have this morning confirmed that they have “parted company” with Roberto Di Matteo, who leaves his position at manager of the London club with immediate effect.

In a statement issued this morning the club state…

“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 will be making an announcement shortly regarding a new first team manager.”

The move follows last night’s 3-0 defeat to Juventus in Turin, which left the club on the brink of Champions League elimination – a season after Di Matteo led them to glory in the competition.

Although reports circulated this morning indicated that Di Matteo “expected” to be dismissed for last night’s result, the events will send shockwaves given that, up until recently, the Italian had steered the club to the top of the Premier League.

Chelsea now go into the crucial clash with Man City at the weekend, presumably without a manager. It seems likely that a replacement has been lined up in the background, with Rafa Benitez a popular name being discussed in the morning press. Pep Guardiola is the overwhelming fans’ favourite, though he is expected to remain on a sabbatical after leaving Barcelona in the summer, while Harry Redknapp’s name has been thrown into the hat this morning.

For Fantasy managers, this leaves us pondering all kinds of issues. Clearly we will now anticipate a fairly extensive overhaul of the team and tactics in the coming weeks, with our established thinking now in doubt.

Immediate changes ahead of the weekend would seem unlikely, although Chelsea’s preferred back four, their midfield formation and certainly the situation up front all now seem in flux while the dust settles.