© EuroFootball.com
London's "Chelsea" patience ran out - after a crushing defeat in the UEFA Champions League against the Turin "Juventus" team, the "Blues" coach Roberto Di Matteo was dismissed.
The team's performance and results were too poor - the club's owner and board decided that changes were necessary. "Chelsea" will have to deal with the task of advancing to the Champions League group stage, as well as fighting for top positions in the Premier League and cup competitions. The London team thanks Di Matteo for his work, and the new coach will be announced soon, according to the club's statement.
According to the English press, "Chelsea" owner Roman Abramovich is already negotiating with the famous specialist from Spain, Rafael Benitez. He may be offered a short-term contract, and a decision on extending it would be made in the summer.
There is no doubt that the main target for the London team remains Pep Guardiola, but the former Barcelona coach is not planning to return to top-level football until after this season, so his decision on the future will have to be awaited.
Benitez would not be a newcomer in England - from 2004 to 2010 he managed Liverpool and won the FA Cup, as well as triumphed in the UEFA Champions League. Later he took over at Inter Milan, but was dismissed after less than half a year and has been unemployed since.
Alongside the Spaniard and Guardiola, names mentioned among the contenders include Avram Grant, Harry Redknapp, Cesare Prandelli, and Laurent Blanc.
