Andre Villas-Boas Fired: What Chelsea Must Do Following Reported Announcement

Chelsea FC's foolish sacking of young Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas now leaves the club needing an experienced manager to ensure they finish in the top four of the Premier League table.

Not finishing in the top four would mean no Champions League football next season, which would be catastrophic for a club whose No. 1 goal is to win that competition.

According to a statement from the club, Italian Roberto Di Matteo will take over as manager on an interim basis, however, one must think that he won't be the leader for too long.

Chelsea has too much at stake in the next few months to not hire an experienced manager with domestic and European success. 

Club owner Roman Abramovich must hire someone who will make smart decisions and get the most out of the players. Also, the new manager needs to have a prior history of success so he is respected right away by the players.

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is reportedly a strong candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge, but the Spanish manager would rather sign a deal beyond the end of this year. 

Via the Daily Mail:

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Benitez wants at least an 18-month deal to take over the reins. Chelsea, so far, have only discussed him doing the job until the end of the season, meaning there will have to be a compromise in the next 48 hours if Benitez is to be in place for the game against Birmingham. 

Owner Abramovich is thought to favour attempting to bring in Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola in the summer, hence the desire to offer Spaniard Benitez a short-term contract.

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Guardiola would be a great hire for the Blues, or any other club for that matter, but I cannot see him leaving Barcelona, who are set up to dominate in Spain and in Europe for many more years. The most attractive part of Guardiola's resume from a Chelsea standpoint is his Champions League success.

In three seasons at Barcelona, Guardiola has led the squad to two Champions League titles and a semifinal finish. Guardiola will have many suitors if he decides to leave the Nou Camp, and it will be a decision likely based on where he'd be the most comfortable because money isn't going to be an issue.

After seeing multiple managers being sacked, I don't think Guardiola is going to come to Stamford Bridge. If quality managers aren't getting a fair chance to prove themselves at Chelsea, then what should make Guardiola believe that he'll get a fair chance? 

Guardiola should be the target for Abramovich, but Benitez is the best short-term hire since you cannot get Gaurdiola until at least the summer anyway.

Benitez never won the Premier League with Liverpool, but he finished in the top four several times and also reached two Champions League finals, winning once.

Chelsea must hire an experienced manager with proven success in England and Europe, which makes Benitez the best choice to lead the club until the end of the season when Abramovich can pursue managers such as Guardiola.

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