Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata has heaped praise on former manager Roberto Di Matteo for the success he helped deliver the club during his short tenure in charge, while insisting the Italian will find a new club in no time.
Despite guiding Chelsea to European and FA Cup success, Di Matteo was given his marching orders by Blues owner Roman Abramovich following a below-par succession of results in which Chelsea went four matches without a Premier League win.
More pressing was the team’s position in the Champions League after the 3-0 defeat at Juventus, Di Matteo’s last match in charge, which leaves Chelsea on the brink of elimination at the group stage and facing the possibility of becoming the first title holders to fail to reach the knockout stages.
However, Mata believes Di Matteo deserved more time to turn around Chelsea’s recent slump in form, but pointed out that the Italian’s dismissal proves just what a cut-throat environment the football world is.
"Roberto won two trophies in just nine months which is very difficult to do, so you have to recognise the job he did,” the Spaniard told the Sun.
"But he has been sacked - that's how hard and unjust football is.
"Just six months ago we were celebrating having won the Champions League.
"I'll always remember the joy of our fans after we won the FA Cup and Champions League. Seeing thousands of people packing the streets to celebrate the trophies with the team is something I'll never forget."
Mata also backed Di Matteo to find a new club soon, adding: "He's a very good coach and a legend at Chelsea, people have such a lot of affection for him.
"Yes, there were hard and difficult moments, as there can be at any club, but they were more than made up for.
"And I'm sure he'll soon have the opportunity to coach again."
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