Intro:

Andre Villas Boas was fired by Chelsea on Sunday (4th March), barely eight months after taking charge of the English Premier League club.

The 34-year old's final game in charge was a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion which left them fifth in the league standings.

Script:

Chelsea have sacked manager Andre Villas Boas after less than nine months in charge.

The 34-year old Portuguese's position has been under intense scrutiny after a run of poor results and Saturday's defeat to West Brom in the EPL proved to be the final straw.

Villas-Boas - arrived in a blaze of glory after winning four trophies in a single season with Porto - including the Europa League - took over from Carlo Ancelotti, who was fired after failing to win a trophy last season despite a league and FA Cup double the season before.

Assistant coach Roberto di Matteo has now been put in charge for the rest of the season, with
Tuesday's FA Cup fifth-round replay against Birmingham City his first task in hand.

Chelsea will also try and turn around a 3-1 first leg deficit to Napoli when they resume their Champions League last 16 encounter on 14th March.