The outpouring of sympathy for Carlo Ancelotti, after he was fired by Chelsea, has been widespread. Sir Alex Ferguson, the Manchester United manager, praised the Italian in collecting his manager of the year award on Monday, saying: "Carlo you are a fantastic man and you have showed great courage in coming to the [awards] dinner, well done."
Ancelotti has taken his dismissal well but perhaps the prospect of a £3 million (Dh18m) pay-off and the knowledge that most top clubs in Europe would employ him in a flash has softened the blow.
Still, after winning the double just a season ago, and finishing second this year, Roman Abramovich's decision to get rid of his manager is nearly incomprehensible.
Abramovich does have one statistic to fall back on - Ancelotti's win ratio at Chelsea was not that impressive. In fact Avram Grant, the man who got Portsmouth and West Ham United relegated in consecutive seasons, had a better record.
Manager Games PL win Overall
Hiddink 22 85% 73%
Mourinho 185 71% 67%
Grant 54 69% 67%
Ancelotti 86 63% 64%
Scolari 36 56% 56%
