Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has thanked Andre Villas-Boas for all his help after the Portuguese coach was dismissed as the club’s manager on Sunday.
With The Blues sitting in fifth place and risking missing out on Champions League football for next season, Roman Abramovich gave the 34-year-old the axe.
Mata was one of Villas-Boas’ signings at Stamford Bridge, and the Spaniard was quick to wish his former boss the best of luck in the future.
“It hasn’t been an easy day for those who, like me, are part of Chelsea,” he stated on Facebook.
“I would like to thank the manager and wish him luck. We have to keep working hard and better days will come. Thanks for your support,” he commented.
Roberto Di Matteo is set to assume control of the team to the end of the season before a new permanent boss is appointed, and former Blues assistant manager Ray Wilkins feels this is the right move.
“Di Matteo has managed in the Premier League, he’s been around quite a while and I would say it’s probably better Robbie takes over until the end of the season than somebody coming in until the end of the year,” he told Sky Sports.
“Robbie’s the right guy to do it, along with (first-team coach) Steve Holland, that would be the perfect match. We’ll see where they go at the end of the season.”
Rafael Benitez has emerged as the favourite to succeed Villas-Boas, but there have also been links with Pep Guardiola, Harry Redknapp and former boss Jose Mourinho.
By Gareth McKnight
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