Ten Cate sacked by Chelsea

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea have followed up the dismissal of manager Avram Grant by sacking his assistant Henk ten Cate, the Premier League club said on their Web site www.chelseafc.com on Thursday.

"Chelsea Football Club can confirm we have terminated Henk Ten Cate's contract today," the club said.

"As a result of the team management changes at Chelsea and in the light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this was the correct decision for all parties.

"Everybody at Chelsea would like to thank Henk for his contribution since coming to the club last year."

Ten Cate left his job as coach of Ajax Amsterdam to join Chelsea in October 2007 as assistant to Grant.

Only two days ago the 53-year-old Dutchman, who had a contract until 2010, was quoted by Dutch media as saying he had been assured that his position was safe.

(Writing by Mitch Phillips, editing by Trevor Huggins)