Last week, Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed as Chelsea’s manager by Roman Abramovich, immediately after his plane touched down following the 3-0 loss to Juventus in Turin.
The 42-year-old was let go by the Russian billionaire’s associates at the club’s training facility, merely 187 days after guiding the Blues to Champions League victory.
Fans and players criticized the harsh dismissal. Last night, ex-Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez took the reins at Chelsea.
Di Matteo, who brought Chelsea $75million by securing the Champions League title, was already on borrowed time as he arrived back in England and interacted with fans.
As the manager was en route back to Chelsea’s headquarters, a relentless Abramovich was on the phone to his aides—club chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Ron Gourlay—demanding that the Italian be let go immediately.
While still oblivious to his impending fate but sensing the somber atmosphere, Di Matteo exchanged handshakes with every member of his squad in the Chelsea car park.
He was subsequently summoned into a crisis meeting and dismissed at 4 am.
Rafa Benitez, the former Liverpool manager, was appointed as Chelsea’s head coach until the season’s conclusion. Shocked fans and players described Di Matteo’s firing as one of the most brutal incidents in Premier League history.
His termination after just 263 days at the helm means Chelsea have now seen their 9th manager since Abramovich, 46, took control of the club in 2003.
Despite delivering Abramovich’s dream last May, becoming the first Chelsea manager to clinch the Champions League title, Di Matteo was still dismissed.
Club sources asserted that his firing was not a spontaneous decision following the defeat to Juventus, which left the team on the verge of becoming the first European champions to not advance past the group stages.
They indicated that his exit had been anticipated for some time due to a series of disappointing results, including a 2-1 loss to West Brom on Saturday.
Even before his removal, rumors suggested that Chelsea had engaged in secret negotiations with both Benitez and former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola regarding the managerial position.
The meeting that culminated in Di Matteo’s termination lasted under half an hour, once it was understood that Abramovich’s decision was irrevocable.
Buck and Gourlay then proceeded to an emergency meeting at Stamford Bridge before issuing an official club statement at 9 am to confirm Di Matteo’s departure.
Following his exit, the manager will continue to receive his $100,000-a-week salary until he secures another position.
Many Chelsea supporters are outraged over Di Matteo’s dismissal and the appointment of Benitez.
by Terence Johns
