This was going to be a boring week on the football calendar full of international friendlies. Not quite so now that Chelsea have shot themselves in the foot by sacking manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in the belief that a new manager could propel them back to the top of the Premiership.

The club's official website revealed the dramatic move had been made "to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for".  Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League, and are also fighting in the Champions League and FA Cup, with Ray Wilkins in charge until a permanent and more prominent successor is appointed.

There’s a particularly good reason why a certain Martin O’Neill is being mentioned for the now-vacant Chelsea job. Perhaps this won't happen this time around; it will be a crushing blow to Villa, but it is a possibility that Chelsea might want to exploit.

World Cup winner Scolari had only been in the job since June 2008, when he became Chelsea's third boss in the past two seasons. It was hardly sufficient time for him to have settled.

And with reports that Abramovich wants to get rid of his expensive Chelsea toy, and that there will be no more Russian money, the question remains: Now what?

Out of money, out of world class manager, and Chelsea now have to start selling if they are to remain financially sound and avoid administration? Suddenly, the future looks rather grim and morbid for what was the world's richest club only a few months ago.

"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect. The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager," Chelsea's official website told readers.

Scolari signed a lucrative three-year deal when he joined Chelsea and the London club could face a hefty compensation pay-out to their former manager.

Scolari's spokesman Acaz Felleger said it was the club's Russian owner,  Roman Abramovich, who had run out of patience with the Brazilian coach.

"It seems that Abramovich made the decision. Scolari was not in a comfortable situation despite having the support of the squad and Peter Kenyon," he said as quoted by the BBC

Felleger added that Scolari had paid the price for not being given the backing to refresh the ageing Chelsea squad.

"The Chelsea squad are old. Felipe tried to rejuvenate it, but unsuccessfully. He asked (the board) to sign Deco and Robinho, but they only brought Deco."

Meanwhile the Brazilian maestro said in regard to his sacking:

"I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked for Chelsea and in English football," Scolari said.

"It was a very valuable experience. I am sorry that my time with everyone could not last longer. I wish Chelsea luck in the three competitions they are participating in," he told the club's official website.