Roberto Di Matteo- Another One Bites the Dust

Games: 42
Wins: 24
Draws: 9
Losses: 9
Win Percentage: 57.14    

This is Roberto Di Matteo's short managerial record at Chelsea following his sacking this morning. He lasted 262 days as Chelsea boss, longer than his predecessor Villas-Boas (256), Grant (247) and Scolari (223). In  his 262 days he managed to lift the FA cup and the much coveted Champions League trophy, so was it right for him to get the sack? or just further evidence of Roman Abramovich's short sightedness?

Well lets first consider this season on its own, being his first year as official Chelsea manager, rather than caretaker manager. After an impressive start to the season winning seven of their first eight games, the Blues have won only two of their last eight games. They sit third in the Premier League, four points behind leaders Manchester City, who they host on Sunday. This season was always going to be tougher than the last, setting high expectations following their Champions League win, as well as losing key players like Didier Drogba and facing the inevitability of having to faze out older personnel such as Frank Lampard. The signings of Eden Hazard and Oscar, who have formed a formidable partnership, along with Juan Mata seemed to be the key to this Chelsea transition, however the lack of striking options has placed even more pressure on the misfiring Fernando Torres. The club have undoubtedly taken a different direction to previous years, seeking not only to win, but win in style. However their dip in form, particularly their struggle to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League has led to Di Matteo's demise.

Supporters of Di Matteo would point to the fact that there were certain factors beyond his control, ie the lack of John Terry in the team, which has meant that Chelsea have conceded 20 goals in 10 games, although adaptability is an important trait in a top manager. 'Robbie' was always going to struggle to get Mr Abramovich's backing, as I think it's fair to say nobody expected Chelsea to finish the season as strongly as they did, and the plan was only for Di Matteo to stabilise the club until the end of the season. Their success in the Champions League meant that the Chelsea owner was almost forced to hand the Caretaker boss a permanent contract, without him being his first choice. The very fact that the contract was only two years, suggests that he wasn't a long term solution, and I'd go so far as to say the Russian billionaire was almost looking for Di Matteo to slip up in order to implement his master plan.

The timing of the sacking seems somewhat strange with a massive game on Sunday, and some commentators would have thought the club could have waited until January to replace Di Matteo. It seems that Chelsea have a natural replacement lined up in Rafa Benitez, who lives in England and would be ready to begin almost instantly, although this may just be for an interim period, with Pep Guardiola (still on sabbatical) still seemingly Abramovich's first choice.

              

The issue almost inevitably comes back to that of stability being the key to success, however when you have spent billions of Pounds as the Chelsea owner has, impatience can be expected.  Perhaps a more proven young manager (Guardiola) would be afforded more time to mould the club and perhaps Abramovich sought to speed up this process, feeling that although Di Matteo created a togetherness and stability at the club, he wasn't the visionary that Chelsea were looking for. Perhaps this is true, and there may well be question marks surrounding Di Matteo's ability to adapt when in losing positions, but Chelsea fans will not be filled with confidence after the sacking of a ninth manager in eight years, particularly that of a Chelsea legend and someone who brought them two bits of silverware in less than a year,  and if the hierarchy at the club keep reacting like this to dips in form they will soon run out of managerial options.

Harsh? Probably..Strange timing? Yes... Surprising? No..

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