“We support him. He's a friend and he's always going to be a friend.”  -Photo by Reuters

LONDON: Chelsea captain John Terry insists the club's senior players shouldn't be blamed for the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

Villas-Boas was dismissed last weekend after just over eight months in charge and many critics claimed the young Portuguese coach had been the latest manager to fall foul of player power at Stamford Bridge.

Blues midfielder Frank Lampard publicly acknowledged he had a difficult relationship with Villas-Boas shortly before his sacking, while other Chelsea stars are also believed to have had problems with the 24-year-old.

But Terry is adamant owner Roman Abramovich wielded the axe because of poor results rather than a deliberate attempt by the players to destabilise Villas-Boas.

“In all clubs, when players don't play, there's always misunderstandings and people upset about not being played,” Terry told Sky Sports.

“I think because it's Chelsea, people have got this thing about the senior players have got a massive influence and I can assure you that's not the case and it hasn't been since I've been at the football club.

“All the players care about Chelsea football club, the owner certainly does. Andre was very good - unfortunately we didn't get the results.

“Collectively, not only him, although unfortunately it falls on his head, I think the players and the manager will make mistakes together.

“We all wish him well, he's got a very good future. He's very young as well. This can be a learning experience for him and myself. I got on very well with him.”

However, Blues striker Didier Drogba admits if he and his team-mates had done more on the pitch, Villas-Boas might still be in the job.

“These things happen and no matter what happened I think we have to give him credit,” he said. “It cannot work for all of them.

“He was unlucky, the team was not in good shape. I think we, as players, could have done maybe better to change that, to avoid this happening. But that's life.

“We support him. He's a friend and he's always going to be a friend.”