the end of the season, and Bevan added: "He [Villas-Boas] was very disappointed, frustrated, saddened, but his thoughts were for the club, the fans and indeed Roberto Di Matteo, wishing him well for the rest of the season. He's obviously a man who played six years or so for the club and has got good managerial experience with West Brom in the Premier League."

Bevan claimed the frequent managerial changes at Stamford Bridge did not help Villas-Boas develop a relationship with the squad. "Players need to know that the manager's strategy and his job is not in question, there's a clear remit," he said. "You get success if you get time, and stability will come from that. Otherwise it's very difficult for a manager like André to impose hisphilosophy and build a team."

Villas-Boas had the lowest win percentage of any Chelsea manager since Glenn Hoddle, but Bevan believes the results would have turned around: "After only eight months you can't build that sort of success. The club's still competing in the latter stages of the Champions League, the FA Cup and fighting for a top-four position. If you want success you must look at the longer term."

The Arsenal manager, Arsène Wenger, also accused Chelsea of not affording Villas-Boas enough time to see his vision through. "All I can say is I feel sorry for Villas-Boas because I know him and I like him as a manager and as a man," Wenger said.

"I am sorry he was not given enough time to do his job. You cannot