Di Matteo axed after Chelsea thrashed by Juventus
Manager shown the door as Blues’ survival in the balance
LONDON:
Chelsea have parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo just six months after the Italian led the London club to a first Champions League title.
The European champions moved quickly to remove Di Matteo following Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Juventus left the title-holders on the brink of elimination from a tournament they won on a memorable night in Munich on May 19.
“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,” said Chelsea on their website.
“We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club’s history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.”
Meanwhile, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has made himself available for the Chelsea vacancy following Di Matteo’s sacking, according to The National.
“What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies so Chelsea is one of these clubs,” said Benitez. “The reason (I have not coached for nearly two years) is that there are not too many top sides that can challenge so I had to wait.”
Galatasaray end United’s unbeaten run
Galatasaray ended Manchester United’s perfect start to this season’s Champions League with a 1-0 victory in Group H in Istanbul on Tuesday but United are already through to the second phase.
This match gave manager Alex Ferguson the opportunity to give several younger players some valuable European experience in front of some of the continent’s most passionate fans.
“The possession was good and the attacking play was good,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “We had one or two good opportunities in both halves.”
Russia arrests dozens at Barca-Spartak clash
Russian police arrested around 60 hard-core football fans during the Champions League clash between Spartak Moscow and Barcelona, raising new concerns about fan violence, said officials yesterday.
The Interfax news agency quoted police sources as saying the fans were arrested outside the Luzhkini stadium in Moscow during the second half of the game which Spartak lost 3-0 to the Catalan giants.
In other games, Bayern Munich needed a late Thomas Mueller goal to come from behind and seal a 1-1 draw at ten-man Valencia which put both teams in the Champions League’s knock-out phase.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2012.
Chelsea have parted company with manager Roberto Di Matteo just six months after the Italian led the London club to a first Champions League title.
The European champions moved quickly to remove Di Matteo following Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat to Juventus left the title-holders on the brink of elimination from a tournament they won on a memorable night in Munich on May 19.
“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,” said Chelsea on their website.
“We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club’s history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge.”
Meanwhile, former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has made himself available for the Chelsea vacancy following Di Matteo’s sacking, according to The National.
“What I will say is that I am looking for a club that can challenge for trophies so Chelsea is one of these clubs,” said Benitez. “The reason (I have not coached for nearly two years) is that there are not too many top sides that can challenge so I had to wait.”
Galatasaray end United’s unbeaten run
Galatasaray ended Manchester United’s perfect start to this season’s Champions League with a 1-0 victory in Group H in Istanbul on Tuesday but United are already through to the second phase.
This match gave manager Alex Ferguson the opportunity to give several younger players some valuable European experience in front of some of the continent’s most passionate fans.
“The possession was good and the attacking play was good,” Ferguson told Sky Sports. “We had one or two good opportunities in both halves.”
Russia arrests dozens at Barca-Spartak clash
Russian police arrested around 60 hard-core football fans during the Champions League clash between Spartak Moscow and Barcelona, raising new concerns about fan violence, said officials yesterday.
The Interfax news agency quoted police sources as saying the fans were arrested outside the Luzhkini stadium in Moscow during the second half of the game which Spartak lost 3-0 to the Catalan giants.
In other games, Bayern Munich needed a late Thomas Mueller goal to come from behind and seal a 1-1 draw at ten-man Valencia which put both teams in the Champions League’s knock-out phase.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 22nd, 2012.