Roberto Di Matteo has been confirmed as the permanent Chelsea manager with a two-year contract after winning the Champions League and FA Cup.
The Italian was forced to wait for weeks to discover if he would be given the job on more than a caretaker basis despite securing Europe’s top club trophy after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked.
Roberto Di Matteo has been confirmed as the permanent Chelsea manager with a two-year contract after winning the Champions League and FA Cup.
The Italian was forced to wait for weeks to discover if he would be given the job on more than a caretaker basis despite securing Europe’s top club trophy after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked.
“Roberto's quality was clear for all to see when he galvanised the squad last season and helped the club make history, and the owner and board are very pleased he will be continuing his good work,” said chief executive Ron Gourlay.
“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 onto further success.”
Former Lazio midfielder Di Matteo had been linked with the jobs at Fiorentina, Lazio and Roma over the summer.
“I'm obviously delighted to have been appointed as Manager and First-Team Coach. We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club,” said the 42-year-old.
“Our aim is to continue building on that and I'm already planning and looking forward to the squad's return for pre-season.”
He becomes the fourth Italian to sit on the Chelsea bench.