Di Matteo trusted to plan Chelsea future
Roberto Di Matteo is targeting continued success with Chelsea
Roberto Di Matteo is aiming to build on winning the FA Cup and Champions League next season after he was named Chelsea's permanent manager and first-team coach.
Di Matteo, 42, was promoted from assistant manager into temporary charge of the Blues in March following a poor spell under then-boss Andre Villas-Boas. He then led Chelsea to their fourth FA Cup success in six seasons before masterminding their maiden Champions League title with victory over Bayern Munich on penalties.
The former Italy midfielder, who also enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Stamford Bridge, has now been given the job full-time after signing a two-year deal and is looking to build on those successes. He said: "I'm obviously delighted to have been appointed as manager and first-team coach."
He added: "We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club. Our aim is to continue building on that and I'm already planning and looking forward to the squad's return for pre-season."
It was widely expected that Di Matteo would be given a more permanent deal following his successful temporary tenure but there were reports Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was looking at other targets, with former Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola high on his wanted list.
Di Matteo's deal was delayed as the club had to wait for him to return from his holiday before finalising it, with the Italian becoming Chelsea's eighth permanent boss since Abramovich purchased the Stamford Bridge outfit in 2003.
Despite collecting honours in cup competitions Di Matteo could only guide Chelsea to a sixth-placed finish in the Barclay's Premier League but the club's chief executive Ron Gourlay is delighted to secure the long-term services of the ex-West Brom manager.
"Although he has set the bar very high in the short time he has been in charge, we know that Roberto is the right man to lead Chelsea on to further success," he said.
"We all believed he was a young coach with much to offer when we first asked him to take charge of team affairs in March and the manner in which he worked with us, the players and all the staff, and the success that followed, made him the clear choice when it came to selecting the person to take us forward in the seasons to come."
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Jonathan you're quite right only time will tell!
West Brom did leak goals and that was RDM's downfall there it'll be the same at Chelsea mate I'll virtually guarantee it!!!
To play the style of footie that Roman wants Chelsea will have to play a high defensive line, they did that for the most part of last season under AVB and the Chelsea defence were found to be wanting.
Chelsea's current defence are too slow to play that system, RDM reverted back to Chelsea's strengths. Defensive footie - not what Roman wants!!!
Then you Chelsea lot need to learn patience, that style of footie takes time it doesn't just happen over night - not sure Roman has that much patience!!!
Anyway good luck to RDM and Chelsea, thoroughly deserved CL winners.
So looking forward to next season, only 2 more months to go!
In recent years their manager turnover has been an absolute farce. But as a neutral, I hope this brings some stability to the Chelsea ship. I want them to be competing for trophies and raising the standard of British football and British footballers.
A thoroughly deserved appointment but let's face it he won't last!
First, Roman wants sexy footie at the Bridge, he aint going to get it with RDM and his negative defensive tactics which only proved successful due to a huge amount of luck.
Second, he's only in the job because no other cedible quality manager wants the poison chalice job that is Chelsea.
As soon as results don't go as expected and a credible alternate manager becomes available he'll get the chop.
Wait and see!!!
