The Chelsea board has revealed that it made the decision to sack Andre Villas-Boas with the rest of the season in mind.

The Blues are still in the Champions League and FA Cup, while they are also in the mix to secure a spot for Champions League qualification next season.

As a result, the board believes that parting company with the 34-year-old has given the club the best opportunity to be successful between now and the end of the campaign.

"The board would like to record our gratitude for his work and express our disappointment that the relationship has ended so early," read a statement on the club's official website. "Unfortunately the results and performances of the team have not been good enough and were showing no signs of improving at a key time in the season.

"The club is still competing in the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League and the FA Cup, as well as challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League, and we aim to remain as competitive as possible on all fronts.

"With that in mind we felt our only option was to make a change at this time."

Villas-Boas had been in charge at Stamford Bridge for nine months.