AVB: “Sacking Di Matteo is just another day at the office at Chelsea”
Andre Villas-Boas, Tottenham Hotspur manager
Villas-Boas, who lasted for five days fewer than Roberto Di Matteo in charge of the club before he too was sacked by the trigger-happy billionaire owner, said: ‘At Chelsea another sacking is just like any other day at the office. That’s my interpretation.’
Di Matteo was No 2 to Villas-Boas at Chelsea before he took over as caretaker coach when Abramovich grew impatient of his Portuguese coach.
He won the FA Cup and Champions League and Villas-Boas added: ‘It’s difficult for Robbie. I wish him well in his career. He has achieved so much in such a small amount of time.
‘His CV is now one of the best in the world. He is a European champion and an FA Cup winner. It’s the club’s decision. It’s what they think moves them forward. I can’t really comment on that.’
Tottenham face Lazio on Thursday night in the Europa League, where Paul Gascoigne will be guest in attendance as guest of honour as a former legend of both clubs.
Mousa Dembele has travelled with the rest of the squad after overcoming a hip injury but is unlikely to play in the match.
Steven Caulker has overcome the knee injury that ruled him out of Saturday's north London derby defeat, but Scott Parker (achilles), Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Younes Kaboul (both knee) are out.
Hugo Lloris will start in goal as Brad Friedel has been left in London and Yago Falque has also not travelled to Italy due to an injury.
{message}