Gullit slams Di Matteo dismissal

Former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit has expressed his dismay at the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo.

The 42-year-old was given his marching orders on Wednesday morning after a 3-0 defeat to Juventus left the Blues’ defence of their Champions League crown hanging by a thread.

But the Dutchman believes Roman Abramovich was wrong to sack the former Italy international, who led the club to an FA Cup-Champions League double last term.

“If you win something at Chelsea you get sacked. If you don’t win you can stay for a long time,” he told Sky Sports News.

“It’s sad for Robbie. He hasn’t even been there a year in charge. It’s unbelievable, but it’s part of being a coach.

“I already had a very good feeling when he won the Champions League maybe they had somebody else in the frame, but I don’t think they took any notice of the fact that Robbie could win it.”

Gullit went on to claim the Chelsea hierarchy may have already lined up a return to Stamford Bridge for Jose Mourinho.

He continued: “I always had the feeling Mourinho was in the frame because he signed his contract with Real Madrid just after Chelsea won the Champions League.

“His record says everything – a lot of people would love to see him in England.”

The former Netherlands international also criticised the club’s board for attempting to emulate Barcelona, insisting the Catalan giants are unique in football.

“We thought the main thing for Chelsea was to win the Champions League, but they still sacked the manager,” Gullit said.

“The board wants to play the same sort of football as Barcelona, but Barcelona is Barcelona.

“They want to copy something that you can’t – and Barcelona have Messi. Don’t put away your own identity, because sometimes you can’t copy something.”

Gullit also dismissed any potential return to Stamford Bridge for himself, saying: “I’m busy with my own things. I wouldn’t feel comfortable to come after Robbie because he’s a very good friend of mine.”