Deschamps cool on Chelsea link

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps has refused to discuss the possibility of taking over from Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea.

The 43-year-old, who represented the Stamford Bridge outfit for a season near the tail end of his playing career, did, however, say he was saddened by Villas-Boas’ dismissal.

Chelsea parted company with the Portuguese manager on Sunday after employing him in the summer and have placed Roberto Di Matteo in charge of the team on an interim basis until the end of the season.

However, Deschamps was unwilling to talk about the role at a press conference on Monday, instead looking to focus on his current side.

“Today I am here (at Marseille). There are so many things that are said about players and coaches, it’s part of the game. All I know is that there are several challenges here in the next two-and-a-half months,” he said.

When talking about Villas-Boas, the former France captain stated: “The reality is that there is a coach who was removed from his office. For me it is always said because it’s a tough job.”

“No matter what country, team or coach, it never makes me happy to see someone dismissed. Although when you do this job, it can happen any time.”

Deschamps takes his team to Evian on Tuesday night as they look to build on their current eighth-place standing in Ligue 1.