From the BBC News Desk
Chelsea announce the shock dismissal of manager Luiz Felipe Scolari with immediate effect, after just seven months in charge.
Chelsea have sensationally sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The club's website revealed the dramatic move had been made "to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for".
World Cup winner Scolari had only been in the job since June 2008, when he became Chelsea's third boss in a year.
Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League but remain in the Champions League and FA Cup - with Ray Wilkins in charge until a successor is appointed.
"Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club with immediate effect," read the statement. "The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager.
"Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon.
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"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.
"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.
"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible."
Scolari won the World Cup as manager of his home country, Brazil, in 2002.
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