Aston Villa manager: Sacked Roberto Di Matteo speaks out after 'leaving so soon'
Roberto Di Matteo has broken his silence after being axed by Villa and expressed his "deep disappointment" at leaving the club after just four months in charge.
The Italian was dismissed yesterday morning with Villa 19th in the Championship, having won just one of their first 11 games.
In a statement released via the League Manager's Association on Tuesday evening, Di Matteo described his disappointment at leaving and expressed his belief the club can still challenge for promotion this season.
The former Albion and Chelsea boss spent the summer Villa's squad following their relegation from the Premier League, bringing in nine new players at a cost of more than £50million. Di Matteo believes that work will eventually bear fruit.
His statement read: "I am deeply disappointed to be leaving Aston Villa so soon.
"My coaching staff and I have worked tirelessly to rebuild the squad and I fully expect the players we have brought in to start delivering results in the weeks and months to come.
" I have seen enough over the opening games of the season to suggest that the team we have built will start converting draws into wins and climb the table towards the play-off places.
"I would like to thank the players, coaches, medical team and support staff at Bodymoor Heath, who are some of the most committed and talented I have worked with.
"I would also like to thank the fans and I am really appreciative of the support they have shown the club so far this season.
"Finally, I wish everyone at the club, Dr Tony Xia and the board, well for the rest of the season.
"I am sure that the work we have done over the past four months will contribute to seeing Villa back in the Premier League in the near future."
