"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. … 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."

-- A statement from Chelsea after it fired Coach Andre Villas-Boas, who cost billionaire owner Roman Abramovic $21 million to acquire from FC Porto eight months ago. (ESPN.com)