Roberto Di Matteo proud of Chelsea achievements

Roberto Di Matteo has spoken of his "deep and unreserved passion" for Chelsea despite being sacked as manager after just eight months in charge.

Di Matteo won the Champions League and FA Cup as caretaker boss and earned a two-year contract, but he was dismissed after Tuesday's loss at Juventus.

"I am extremely proud of the successes and trophies that we were able to bring to the club," said the 42-year-old.

"I have a deep and unreserved passion for Chelsea Football Club."

Di Matteo joined Chelsea as a player in 1996 and scored 26 goals in 175 appearances before retiring because of injury at the age of 31.

He managed MK Dons and West Brom before taking over at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in March.

The Champions League and FA Cup triumphs saw his interim position made permanent and Di Matteo began this season with nine wins from 12 matches.

But defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League marked the start of a run featuring only one win in eight fixtures.

Di Matteo's final game in charge was the 3-0 defeat in Turin, which left Chelsea on the brink of Champions League elimination.

"It was an honour for me to be appointed manager of a club that I loved playing for and one that is so close to my heart," he added.

"Lifting Chelsea's first Champions League trophy, in Munich, was the best achievement in the club's history and without doubt the highlight of my career to date, both as a player and manager. It is a memory I will treasure for the rest of my life.

"I would like to sincerely thank all of the staff, my players and of course the Chelsea fans, for their tremendous and unconditioned support in the intense time I have been the manager at the Bridge.

"I wish all of them every success for the rest of the season and beyond."

It is understood Di Matteo was informed of his departure in the early hours of Wednesday by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and chief executive Ron Gourlay at the club's training ground.

He has been succeeded by former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez, who was named interim manager until the end of the season.