• Champions League

Di Matteo: My Chelsea future is irrelevant

ESPN staff
May 20, 2012

Roberto Di Matteo refused to discuss his future following Chelsea's Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich on Saturday, labelling his personal situation "irrelevant".

Di Matteo took over from Andre Villas-Boas at the start of March and oversaw a dramatic change of fortunes for the London club. Chelsea rescued their season to claim the FA Cup before going on to win the Champions League in a penalty shootout, but Di Matteo said he had not thought about his own future.

"I feel great," Di Matteo said. "But I need a holiday because these last three months have been very challenging. At this moment, whatever the future holds for me is irrelevant."

As he went up to get his medal at the Allianz Arena, it did appear Di Matteo said "we did it" as he embraced club owner Roman Abramovich. However, he would not confirm that in the aftermath.

"I don't discuss those things in public," he said. "But he looked very happy on what was an historic night for our football club."

Di Matteo also claimed Chelsea deserve to take their place in next season's Champions League, which they will do at Tottenham's expense, even though they could only finish sixth in this year's Premier League.

"I do feel the winners should qualify for next season's competition," he said. "That is the right thing. Whether it is fair or not for Tottenham to be in as well is not really for me to answer."

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