The Italian has rightly been handed a two-year deal as the
club's permanent manager, ending immediate discussion
over a future role for the ex-Barcelona boss
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SUCCESSFUL START
DI MATTEO'S CHELSEA
RECORD
GAMES
WINS
DRAWS
LOSSES
WIN PERCENTAGE
TROPHIES WON 21
13
5
3
61.9%
2
COMMENT
By Chris Myson
Winning the Champions League in May was still not enough for
Roberto Di Matteo to be considered the cast-iron choice for the job of
Chelsea manager but, after some deliberation, Roman Abramovich
has given the Italian his full backing.
The Blues have officially appointed the Italian on a two-year contract
in a fully-deserved move after he turned the club’s fortunes around so
dramatically after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, and Pep Guardiola
initially being groomed as the long-term successor.
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That Champions League glory would have been enough for the Italian
to name his terms at any other club. Chelsea, though, still pondered
their options for weeks after that success and, as Goal.com revealed,
tried to sound out Guardiola.
Then, it appeared Di Matteo would indeed get the role, but only on a
one-year deal - a move that would hardly have been a clear message
of support for the club icon, who also enjoyed a successful playing
career at Stamford Bridge.
Guardiola was the man Abramovich wanted and he was prepared to
appoint Di Matteo for a year just to keep the seat warm for the
Catalan to replace him in 2013.
But the former Stamford Bridge player has now rightly usurped the
former Barcelona coach by achieving the ‘Holy Grail’ that was the
Russian’s dream by guiding them to the Champions League.
It would have sent out the wrong message for football if, after
achieving such success, Di Matteo had missed out on the job
altogether or only been given a short-term contract.
For some, the ex-West Brom boss was a surprise choice even as the
interim manager after the club’s investment in Villas-Boas went
disastrously wrong and resulted in the end of his reign in early March.
However, Di Matteo showed a level of temperament that defies his
lack of top-level experience and short coaching career to date, uniting
a fragmented dressing room and reverting back to the tactics that
have proved successful for Chelsea in the past.
While he could not reverse their slide out of the top four places in the
Premier League, he masterminded their FA Cup success and
amazingly led the club to European glory, beating Napoli, Benfica,
Barcelona and Bayern Munich in a European run that will never be
forgotten.
Chelsea had been written off as an
aging side who were in need of
urgent surgery, but Di Matteo’s faith
in the club’s old guard proved to be
a masterstroke as Frank Lampard,
Didier Drogba & Co. secured his own
place in footballing folklore.
The manager has earned the right
to be the man who will shape
Chelsea’s immediate future and
make-up of the playing squad as
they try to achieve further European
success while re-establishing
themselves in the upper echelons of
the Premier League.
After being appointed, a thrilled Di
Matteo said: “I'm obviously
delighted to have been appointed as
manager.
“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."
With Eden Hazard and Marko Marin already signed and Hulk
reportedly set to follow, these are very exciting times for Chelsea
supporters and Di Matteo will be the man leading the club in what
they hope will be the first stages of a successful dynasty.
It is now up to him to prove his early success was not just a flash in
the pan and kick-start a new era at the club, carefully re-shaping the
playing squad so they can remain on top for many years to come.
It is a chance he fully deserves and judging from his performance so
far, you would not bet against him achieving just that and winning
more silverware under the title of permanent manager.
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I though that was more than two years.

Again bro! When you copy and paste especially with mobile phones always edit.