One of the hallmarks of Roman Abramovich’s time as Chelsea owner has been his itchy trigger-finger – a realisation that when change is required, it is better to do it sooner rather than later.

It is a method that has its detractors and has seen seven managers take their leave in his near nine years in charge.

When Abramovich sacked Andre Villas-Boas on March 4, it seemed a rash judgment on a young manager who had only joined the previous summer.

But just one win in seven matches and with dressing room discontent apparently spiralling out of control, Abramovich chose to act by sacking the Portuguese and replacing him with an interim manager in Roberto Di Matteo, who is in charge until the end of the season.

Di Matteo had been Villas-Boas’ assistant but the difference between the two men’s methods of man-management could not be more different.

The Italian restored some of his more established stars, like Frank Lampard, and the London side have now won six of his eight matches in charge, losing just once.

They take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

The return from injury of captain John Terry has made a difference and the return to goal-scoring form of Fernando Torres has been a huge bonus.

But it is the way that former Chelsea midfielder Di Matteo has coaxed the best out of his players that has drawn most praise, with his entire squad seemingly now giving their all once more.

“To be a number two, with a lot of knowledge, when you’ve been a manager before, is probably not the easiest role because the number one makes the decisions,” Chelsea vice-captain Lampard told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“But I think he is revelling in making those decisions.

“He has kept it very simple. It’s a case of getting a confidence and passion through the team and, in the results we’ve had, in the majority, you’d say he has done that.”

Di Matteo is still making the hard decisions, but goes about it in a different way, speaking at length to Lampard before leaving him on the substitutes’ bench for the first leg against Benfica.

“I spoke with Robbie before the game and certainly had no issue with it,” Lampard said.

“I was delighted as anyone in the squad to get the result. At the end, I came on and played 20 minutes or so.

“Robbie spoke to me. I have complete respect for him, as I have for all of my managers.

“It was nice to be part of a squad, whether you sit on the bench, it’s never an issue of a selfish attitude I think by anyone in our squad when you are not playing. It’s a case of just wanting the team to do well, because success breeds success individually and as a group.”

However, Lampard said the players had to take the blame for not performing under Villas-Boas.

“It’s hard to pinpoint things. I don’t want to go too much over negatives,” he said. “But we didn’t perform to a level, that’s why the manager changed.

“Us, as players, are not happy because you don’t feel as proud as you should be when you know the squad we’ve got should be doing better.”