Ray Wilkins was squeezed out of Chelsea due to last season's Champions League failure, it has been revealed.
The Sunday Mirror says Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich decided to shake-up his backroom staff after seeing the Blues tactically out-thought by Jose Mourinho and his Inter Milan team in the first knockout round of the competition.
Abramovich was incensed by the way his team were outclassed in all areas.
Stamford Bridge insiders even believe that manager Carlo Ancelotti came close to being fired after their inept display against the eventual Champions League winners.
That view of events at the Bridge also goes some way to explaining why the Italian coach was powerless to intervene and save Wilkins from the axe last Wednesday.
Wilkins had been in talks with the club over a new contract for several months.
But then Abramovich stepped in and brought the 54-year-old's employment to an end.
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