Henk ten Cate believes he was cast as the villain during his time at Chelsea.

The Dutchman was sacked as assistant coach last week and said: "The club has not trusted in me and not even asked me if I wanted to be the new coach.

"In a lot of moments I have appeared as the bad guy in the dressing room before the players and this could have gone against me.

"My future has been caught up in Grant's and with his departure it was very likely that I would follow the same way.

"In this time I have done everything at Chelsea and the pity is that it has not served for very much."

Ten Cate added: "It has all happened so suddenly and in an unexpected way, but there was no other option. Chelsea say they need a change in technical staff and I did not enter into their plans.

"I came with a lot of excitement to this project, but I am leaving sad and upset because they have not let me do more."