Michael Ballack says Luiz Felipe Scolari's methods didn't suit Chelsea.
Ballack, 32, last night claimed the Brazilian's coaching methods were not good enough to bring success to Stamford Bridge.
He said: "Every coach has his own training methods and Scolari has been very successful with his way of doing things in the past.
"He has proved he is a great coach but most recently there has been a lack of success at Chelsea.
"When that happens the blame comes down on to the weakest link in the chain - the manager. Ourselves, the players, are also responsible for the fact things have not gone so well."
Ballack, along with Didier Drogba and Petr Cech, were the three stars who Big Phil believes knifed him.
But the Germany captain insisted his relationship with Scolari was good and he was surprised by his departure.
He added: "I was surprised about Scolari being sacked. I had not expected it and I had a good relationship with him.
"Something like this is always unpleasant. It is a shame as he was not with us for long.
"We were level on points with Manchester United right up until the end of last season and we were unlucky to lose the Champions League final on penalties.
"Jose Mourinho was decisive in my moving to Chelsea. But we have still been a top European club since his departure.
"The club has high demands and that is something I hoped to find when I joined them."