AVB sacked!

As expected, Chelsea have sacked Andre Villas-Boas following the club's defeat to West Brom on Saturday. The Blues have appointed assistant manager Roberto Di Matteo as its interim manager until the end of the season.

Reports by Soccernet indicate that the former Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, was the favourite to take up the job. However, there were apparently some disagreements over the length of the contract with some reports saying Chelsea were looking at a contract for the remainder of the season while Benitez wanted a longer contract.

Still, it would be a surprise if the club decides to hold of its search for a new manager until the end of the season. No one knows how Di Matteo will perform but considering the fact that he was part of AVB's coaching staff that got the Blues into the mess they're currently in, I'd say Di Matteo won't be bringing in the results.

Speculation is rife that Abramovich wants Barcelona's Pep Guardiola at Stamford Bridge. Indeed, the Russian billionaire has wanted Guardiola's brand of free-flowing and attacking football implemented at Chelsea for a long time and who better than Guardiola himself. But would Guardiola leave Barcelona for the Blues? And unless Abramovich is willing to grant Guardiola a sizable transfer budget, would Guardiola be able to turn things around?

Let's not forget the fact that among the managers Abramovich has fired since Jose Mourinho left include a World Cup winner (Phil Scolari), a two-time Champions League winner (Carlo Ancelotti) and a Europa League winner (AVB). Just hiring another big-name manager with an extensive trophy cabinet is not going to change things.