Andre Villas-Boas failed at Chelsea because he had not learned to lose in Portugal, according to former Blues boss Glenn Hoddle.

Owner Roman Abramovich sacked Villas-Boas on Sunday, following the Blues' 1-0 defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

Hoddle believes that the Portuguese manager's experience at previous club Porto, where he was in charge for just a single season and remained unbeaten domestically, was not sufficient preparation for managing one of the biggest clubs in England.

"I just think, as a manager, you don't get judged when you win five games back to back," Hoddle told The Mirror.

"It is easy to send out teams then. You get judged when you lose at home and a midweek game and then another game.

"Villas-Boas went a whole season without losing a game. That is unrealistic. That is not what true management is about."

Hoddle, who was in charge at Chelsea between 1993 and 1996 before leaving to manage England, told the Sports Mole yesterday that he would relish a return to Stamford Bridge.