Terry: Players to blame for AVB exit

Chelsea captain John Terry says the players must take responsibility for the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

The 34-year-old was relinquished of his duties last weekend following defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

Many of the stalwarts in the Blues dressing room were blamed for the exit of Villas-Boas, who failed to stamp his authority on the club during his eight months at the club.

"I think the players would hold their hands up and say, 'Clearly, we've not been good enough and we all made mistakes'," Terry told Chelsea TV.

"Sad for Andre, because unfortunately it falls on his head."

Villas-Boas succeeded former boss Carlo Ancelotti after the Italian was sacked at the end of the last season for failing for win a trophy in his second season in charge.

After winning four trophies in his debut season as a manager with Porto, Villas-Boas arrived with a big reputation but failed to brush off the ghost of Jose Mourinho, who took a similar path to west London.

With 10 defeats in his 40 games in charge, Villas-Boas was finally axed after a 1-0 loss to West Brom, with Chelsea fifth in the Premier League table.

Since his sacking, the clamour for the reappointment of Mourinho has swelled significantly, with the Real Madrid boss the bookmakers favourite to take over.