Interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has called for his players to put the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas behind them and look ahead at the challenges they now face.

The former Blues midfielder takes charge at Stamford Bridge until the end of the season following Villas-Boas's removal, which came just eight months after his appointment.

Although he has acknowledged that it has been a difficult time for the club, Di Matteo now wants his players move on and focus on the task at hand.

"Today I have mostly spoken to the players individually to try to get them in the right frame of mind for the task ahead and that is our job now," he said.

"Our duty now is to look forward and to try to get the results that we need in the league, the Champions League and in the FA Cup to have a good season."

The Italian will line up as Chelsea boss for the first time when they face Birmingham City in an FA Cup replay at St Andrews on Tuesday.