Mata thanks Villas-Boas
Chelsea winger Juan Mata has expressed his thanks to sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas after the club parted ways with him on Sunday.
Last Updated: 04/03/12 9:34pm
Chelsea winger Juan Mata has expressed his thanks to sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas after the club parted ways with him on Sunday.
Villas-Boas was shown the door at Stamford Bridge on Sunday following a poor run of results, culminating in Saturday's defeat at West Brom.
Spain international Mata, who was brought to the West London club by the manager from Valencia last summer, was the first Blues player to react publicly to his departure.
The 23-year-old posted on his official Facebook page: "It hasn't been an easy day for those who, like me, are part of Chelsea.
"I would like to thank the manager and wish him luck.
"We have to keep working hard and better days will come. Thanks for your support!"
Safe hands
Assistant boss Roberto Di Matteo has been placed in caretaker charge of the club until the end of the season.
Ray Wilkins, who previously worked at Chelsea as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant, would not be drawn on the identity of the long-term successor, but feels the club are in safe hands for the time being.
"(Di Matteo) has managed in the Premier League, he's been around quite a while and I would say it's probably better Robbie takes over until the end of the season than somebody coming in until the end of the year," he told Sky Sports.
"Robbie's the right guy to do it, along with (first-team coach) Steve Holland, that would be the perfect match. We'll see where they go at the end of the season."
