Juan Mata pays tribute to Roberto Di Matteo after his sacking as Chelsea manager

Chelsea playmaker Juan Mata has thanked departed manager Roberto Di Matteo.

Di Matteo, who took the reins from Andre Villas-Boas on an interim basis in March, guided Chelsea to success in both the FA Cup and Champions League before being handed a two-year deal in the summer.

However, he was sacked after Chelsea's 3-0 defeat at Juventus on Tuesday night, with the result leaving them with slim hopes of progression to the next phase of the Champions League.

Mata wrote on his Facebook page: "It's been a difficult day. Roberto Di Matteo is no longer our manager. I would like to thank him for all this time with us and wish him the best of luck for the future.

"As a player he has been a legend for the 'Blues'. With him as a manager we won our first Champions League. He will always be remembered. Good luck Robbie!"