Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has opened up about the role he and his teammates played in getting Andre Villas-Boas sacked as manager in 2012, describing it as an “easy” task.

Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2011 with a vision to overhaul the squad, but his approach quickly alienated senior players. Mikel, who played under ten different managers during his 11-year Chelsea career, was among those who clashed with the Portuguese coach.

“AVB didn’t do that,” Mikel said. “You don’t come in and say, ‘Frank, you’re out, JT, you’re out. That’s not going to work.'”

The Nigerian midfielder criticised Villas-Boas for his “big ego” and poor selection decisions, particularly his treatment of club legends like Frank Lampard and John Terry. With tensions growing in the dressing room, Mikel revealed that the players took matters into their own hands by reaching out to then-owner Roman Abramovich.

“We know how to get managers to leave the football club. For us, it was easy to get rid of him. Just lose a few games and call the owner,” Mikel admitted.

The strategy worked, as Villas-Boas was dismissed in March 2012, less than a year after taking charge. His sacking paved the way for Roberto Di Matteo to step in as interim manager, a move that proved to be a masterstroke.

Under Di Matteo, Chelsea made history by winning their first-ever Champions League title alongside the FA Cup.

Villas-Boas’ time at Chelsea remains one of the shortest managerial stints under Abramovich’s ownership, and Mikel’s revelations offer a glimpse into the power players held at the club during that era.