Former West Ham United defender Tony Gale has hit out against the Chelsea players for their reaction to Andre Villas-Boas's dismissal.

The 52-year-old has criticised the Blues for celebrating their FA Cup 2-0 win over Birmingham City in midweek, just two days after the sacking of Villas-Boas.

"[The Chelsea players] got their manager the sack," Gale told Sky Sports News. "They all deserve a BAFTA for the way they were running about and celebrating the goal at Birmingham because what they did to their manager is absolutely diabolical."

During the Portuguese coach's term at Stamford Bridge there were reports of unrest within the Chelsea dressing room, including rifts with senior players Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.