Chelsea sack Andrea Villas-Boas

André Villas-Boas has left Chelsea. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Chelsea have sacked Andre Villas-Boas and Roberto Di Matteo is appointed interim manager until end of season. The manager has left the club following a series poor results, five wins from the last 16, that culminated in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion which left the club fifth in the table.

Chelsea are now looking for their eighth manager in eight. Chelsea will assess all of their options this summer, with Jose Mourinho, Pep Guardiola, Rafael Benitez and Fabio Capello all likely to be in contention.

Mourinho, Chelsea’s most successful-ever manager, has consistently indicated that he would like to return to the Premier League.

"Andre Villa-Boas has parted company with Chelsea Football Club today," said the statement. "The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early.

"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.

"The club is still competing in the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.

"With that in mind we felt our only option was to make a change at this time. With immediate effect Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed first team coach on an interim basis until the end of the season."