• Champions League

Abramovich urged to give Di Matteo permanent job

ESPN staff
April 25, 2012
Roberto Di Matteo's job has been praised by those within football © Getty Images
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Roberto Di Matteo has been backed to keep the Chelsea manager's job on a full-time basis following the Blues' remarkable Champions League victory over Barcelona.

The west London club reached the final of the European competition after drawing 2-2 with the defending champions at Camp Nou on Tuesday, despite being down to 10-men for most of the contest.

Di Matteo is currently only the interim boss following the sacking of former manager Andre Villas-Boas but, after also leading the side to the final of the FA Cup, club owner Roman Abramovich is now being urged to give him the job on a permanent basis.

"I can't speak highly enough of him. Look at the record - it's not coincidence," Frank Lampard said. "He's created an atmosphere, a spirit and determination. What he's done in bringing it together and getting a result like this, and the results we've had before, is amazing."

Di Matteo is the first Blues manager since Avram Grant to take his side to the final of the Champions League. Grant - who enjoyed a close relationship with Abramovich during his time at Stamford Bridge - believes all signs point towards his latest successor being rewarded for his recent work.

"I think Roberto deserves one more year at least but Abramovich sometimes thinks differently," Grant told the BBC. "He has sacked many managers but until now the football was on the way down and the team was on the way down.

"I think in his eyes the team is on the way up and Di Matteo has a chance to continue."

Harry Redknapp also paid tribute to his fellow manager. The Tottenham boss has first-hand experience of Di Matteo's tactical expertise, after losing 5-1 to the Blues in their recent FA Cup semi-final.

"It's an unbelievable achievement," Redknapp told Sky Sports. "You just can't put it into words, how good it was. To play against 10 men, 2-0 down, and come back shows fantastic quality. And in the end they deserved it. They rode their luck but when you've got 10 men playing against Barcelona you need all the luck you can get.

"Great credit to the manager. Robbie's done a great job there.

"He must have a very good chance [of getting permanent job], a great chance. He's done a fantastic job since he took over."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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