Andre Villas-Boas has publicly criticised the backstabbing culture he experienced during his eight-month spell as Chelsea manager. The 48-year-old, who was in charge from June 2011 until February 2012, pointed to betrayal by his assistant Roberto Di Matteo and senior squad members.

Villas-Boas made the comments on the Obi One Podcast this week. He said his biggest disappointment was Di Matteo taking over the job without his knowledge after he was dismissed. "For me, it was very very difficult to see Roberto take the job," Villas-Boas said. "It was something I felt dearly because I was the one who chose him."

The flight controversy

He also addressed a story told by former captain John Terry in 2024. Terry claimed Villas-Boas put academy players in first class and senior stars in business class on a 2011 pre-season trip to Asia to make a point about hierarchy. "We've got Josh McEachran, Nathaniel Chalobah, a couple of other young players all in first class," Terry had recounted.

Villas-Boas offered a different perspective. He explained there were only a few first-class seats available. The principle was to avoid selecting between established players like Petr Cech, Didier Drogba, Terry and Frank Lampard, so the academy boys were placed there instead. "I think it had zero influence on pre-season because we were excellent and started the season well," he stated. He admitted he might have been stubborn and not considered the "big prima donnas".

Clashes with senior players

The former manager detailed a specific clash with Ashley Cole before a Champions League tie against Napoli. During a crisis meeting, Cole questioned why his tactical arrow on the team sheet stopped at the halfway line. Villas-Boas interpreted this as an attempt to mock him in front of the group. "I told Ashley he is trying to make a fool out of me in front of everyone which I cannot accept, so you are out the team," he revealed. Cole was dropped, and Jose Bosingwa started at left-back, only to get injured after two minutes.

Villas-Boas credited the players and Di Matteo for the club's subsequent Champions League triumph in 2012, a season where Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League. He insisted he played no part in that success beyond his summer signings.

The revelations come as the current Chelsea side sits 10th in the Premier League with seven points from five games. Their recent form is mixed, with two wins, one draw and two losses in their last five outings. They were beaten 3-0 by Brentford in their most recent match. Key attackers Cole Palmer and João Pedro, the latter the team's top scorer with three goals this season, are currently sidelined. The squad will look to regroup ahead of their next fixtures, a home game against 17th-placed Bournemouth on 10 October. Fans can check the full squad list for the latest availability updates.

This story first appeared at Daily Mail Sport