REVEALED: Why Roman Abramovich sacked Roberto Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo was warned he would be sacked if he axed £50million flop Fernando Torres.

It was revealed that Chelsea chiefs were aware Di Matteo was thinking of dumping owner Roman Abramovich’s pet signing against Juventus on Tuesday. They advised the manager not to but the Italian ignored the warning — even though he knew it would cost him his job.

Also, a well-placed source said Terry had the “real control” in the changing room, more than the manager in many ways. Not only is he the longest-serving player and the loudest, most outspoken figure, but he also has a hot-line to the boardroom. Younger players are in awe of him at Cobham. His words have real resonance.


Terry has a knee injury and was not involved at the Hawthorns but he remains integral to the daily rhythms of the club, acting as a motivating force and sounding board to those in the team.

Di Matteo was unable to demonstrate to the players that he was in total control. All the internal politics, egos and frustration boiled over as fingers were pointed in the away dressing room at West Brom.

Di Matteo decided to drop Torres after his dismal performance during the 2-1 defeat at West Brom on Saturday. He then refused to obey Chelsea’s orders and named Eden Hazard up front in Turin.

And defeat was the final straw for Abramovich, who had been preparing to replace Di Matteo for almost a month.

The Russian billionaire had only grudgingly appointed Di Matteo in June after failing to lure Guardiola. A fresh approach was rebuffed following Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat by Shakhtar Donetsk last month.

And though Chelsea still hope to land Guardiola, Benitez has agreed to step in for the rest of the season with the brief of building a team around Britian’s most expensive footballer.

Torres, who is known by the other players to have the ear of Abramovich, was furious about being substituted against West Brom and in his previous game against Liverpool.

And he has been quietly lobbying for the appointment of Benitez, the man who signed him for Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in 2007.

The £180,000-a-week striker said in a recent interview: “Rafa has been the most important coach in my career. He’s the only one who knew how to improve me.” Di Matteo was ruthlessly axed at 4am yesterday, hours after Chelsea were effectively knocked out of the Champions League with a a 3-0 defeat in Italy.

Abramovich still hopes he can get former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in the summer. Benitez is a dream appointment for Torres, who only showed his true ability when he was taken to Liverpool by Rafa. 

Now Chelsea are banking on Benitez bringing the best out of a player who has hit just 19 goals in 87 appearances.