Chelsea owner Roman Abramovitch moved fast this afternoon to bring the 3 match, 11 day Rafa Benitez love affair with the Chelsea fans to an end.
Following a shock 3-1 defeat to West Ham United in East London, the Russian ugly - sorry oligarch - asked his lawyers to invoke clause 132, subsection 9 in the fat spaniards contract - the 14 day cooling off period.
Todays shock result followed two 0-0 draws at home to premier league champions Manchester City and neighbours Fulham.
The 11 day spell at Stamford Bridge is not the shortest in footballing history - that accolade goes to Micky Adams for his 7 days at Brentford in the 1990s, and Paul Went for his 10 day spell at Leyton Orient in the 80s.
The former Liverpool and Inter manager was informed of the decision just after the final whistle at the Boleyn Ground, and refused permission to travel back on the team coach to West London. Instead he had to share the district line with England boss Roy Hodgson and 2,000 booing Chelsea fans.
Benitez himself replaced Roberto Di Matteo, who was replaced six months after managing the team to the FA Cup and Champions League double.
Early favourites for the poisoned chalice are Mark Hughes, George Entwistle and Pep Guardiola's hairdresser.
