Di Matteo dismissal: Statements from both club and manager

How cool is RDM?

Roman Abramovich sacked Roberto di Matteo before 9 o'clock this morning. A dip in Premier League form and the threat of an early Champions League exit was enough for the oligarch to operate the oft-used managerial trapdoor once more.

It's scant loyalty for extraordinary achievement; Di Matteo exits Chelsea with head held high after delivering Abramovich his Holy Grail; the Champions League title.

And in an equally eye-raising decision, Rafa Benitez, who rejected the chance to join Chelsea last season and unpopular with their fans, becomes interim boss to the end of the season.

Here's some newspeak on Di Matteo's departure: followed by Roberto's afterwards.

"Chelsea Football Club has parted company this morning with manager Roberto di Matteo.

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.

Even neutral hearts skipped a beat at di Matteo's win

The club faces a difficult task ahead in qualifying for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League as well as maintaining a strong challenge for the top of the Premier League while competing in three other cup competitions. Our aim is to remain as competitive as possible and challenge strongly on all fronts.

The owner and the Board would like to thank Roberto for all he has done for the club since taking over in March. Roberto helped guide us to an historic Champions League victory and a seventh FA Cup. We will never forget the huge contribution he has made to this club's history and he will always be welcome at Stamford Bridge."

Di Matteo's statement:

Roberto Di Matteo said: "It was an honour for me to be appointed manager of a club that I loved playing for and one that is so close to my heart. I am extremely proud of the successes and trophies that we were able to bring to the club in recent months.

“Lifting Chelsea's first Champions League trophy, in Munich, was the best achievement in club history and without doubt the highlight of my career to date, both as a player and manager. It is a memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.

“I have a deep and unreserved passion for Chelsea Football Club and I would like to sincerely thank all of the staff, my players and of course the Chelsea fans, for their tremendous and unconditioned support in the intense time I have been the manager at the Bridge. I wish all of them every success for the rest of the season and beyond.”

League Managers Association CEO Richard Bevan, said: “The LMA shares Roberto’s disappointment following Chelsea's decision to relieve him of his managerial duties. What cannot be questioned is Roberto’s passion for the club and the honesty and integrity he has shown throughout his time in charge. His record of a Champions League title and FA Cup triumph, speaks for itself, and he can be incredibly proud of what he has achieved in such a short space of time.

"Roberto has received a huge number of messages of support from across the game; from other managers, coaches, administrators at other clubs, Chelsea supporters and the Chelsea players themselves. I know he is extremely appreciative of receiving so much support and solidarity, and it demonstrates the high regard and respect that those in the game have for Roberto.”