Ray Wilkins and Graham Rix have been sacked by Claudio Ranieri in a dramatic cull of Chelsea's coaching staff.
According to reports from within Stamford Bridge, Ranieri felt that the coaching staff were creating divisions in the camp and were hindering the creation of a new team spirit after the departure of Gianluca Vialli.
Ranieri made the decision to act after the 2-1 defeat at Everton on Saturday, approaching managing director Colin Hutchinson with his proposals. Wilkins and Rix left by "mutual agreement" after a meeting with Ranieri yesterday.
A statement on Chelsea's official website said: "When Ranieri arrived he brought with him his own coaches and that meant a change of roles for Rix and Wilkins from their time working under Gianluca Vialli.
"Those roles have recently become increasingly peripheral and it's been decided it would be best for all parties if they went their separate ways. Their contracts were up in the summer and it's been agreed that they can leave now, paid up in full, to pursue other interests."
Meanwhile goalkeeping coach Eddie Niedzwecki and fitness coach Antonio Pintus have been given the option of going their own way too or carrying on working in their slightly changed positions.
There is also a doubt over the future now of reserve team manager Mick McGiven, although assistant manager Gwyn Williams is likely to stay.
