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In Pictures: Roman Abramovich’s managers

As Roberto Di Matteo is sacked, Al Jazeera looks back on the Chelsea managers who have been shown the door by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

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Russian Roman Abramovich arrived at Chelsea with his billions in 2003. After proving himself a successful business man, he was looking for glory on the football pitch. Ever since his takeover, he has put his money where his mouth is, slewing a number of managers in his wake
Published On 23 Nov 2012
Claudio Ranieri
When Abramovich joined Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri was manager. The Italian achieved success with Chelsea nurturing the talents of John Terry, Petr Cech and Frank Lampard and leading the club to their highest Premier League finish in the 2003-2004 season behind Arsenal. However, this wasn(***)t good enough for their new demanding owner, and Ranieri was replaced with...
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Inter Milan''s Portuguese coach Jose Mour
... Jose Mourinho. After success with Porto, Mourinho exploded onto the Premier League scene with his posturing and tactical nous. He is remembered as Chelsea(***)s most successful manager, claiming two domestic titles and the FA Cup. However, his failure to capture the Champions League ended the Abramovich-Mourinho union  
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club''s manager Harry Redknapp shakes hands with former Chelsea manager Avram Grant outside the club''s training ground in Chigwell, southern England
After the Mourinho mess, Abramovich appointed an internal candidate and friend. Chelsea(***)s Director of Football Avram Grant (L) became manager but was sacked only eight months later after failing to win the Premier or Champions League. In this picture he is with Harry Redknapp, who has been linked to the Chelsea job 
Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari of U
Eight months was also the survival rate of Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari. 2008/2009 - Another season, another manager and another sacking for Chelsea. The club were disappointed with a poor run of form and Abramovich was not about to give the former Brazil and Portugal coach time to improve. That is clearly not his style! 
Croatia v Turkey - EURO 2012 Qualifier: Play Off Second Leg
One of the few managers to enjoy their time with the West London club is Guus Hiddink. The Dutchman was popular with fans, players and the owner - only losing one game in charge and winning the 2009 FA Cup. However, Hiddink was a temporary manager, and made way for another expensive appointment...
14th Elite Coaches Forum at the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon
There have been so many Chelsea managers under Abramovich, sometimes they find themselves sitting awkwardly together. Carlo Ancelotti (R) - now manager of Paris Saint Germain - was in charge of the Blues from 2009-2011. He led Chelsea to the double in 2010 winning the Premier League and FA Cup. But Abramovich sacked him the very next season (well he did sign Fernando Torres...)
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Chelsea''s new manager, Andre Villas-Boas
Now does anyone remember Andre Villas-Boas? Yes, he was the manager Abramovich paid over $20 million to release from Porto. Then he was the manager who failed to win over the dressing room and was sent packing with his tail between his legs just eight months later. But it all worked out okay for Chelsea in the end because he was replaced by...
Roberto Di Matteo
...Roberto Di Matteo - who saved the day for Chelsea winning the double in 2012, his first year in charge. He led Chelsea, who were dangling on the edge of Champions League survival following AVB(***)s tenure, to their first European triumph. Then to top it all off he won the FA Cup. Guess what happened the next season? (Eight months again the magic number...)
Inter Milan''s coach Rafa Benitez smiles before the start of the Italian Serie A soccer match against Lazio at the Olympic stadium in Rome
On the same day as Di Matteo is fired, Chelsea appoint former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as interim manager until the end of the season. After nearly two years out of the management game, Benitez is diving right back in, at the deep end! (***)Good luck!(***)