• Premier League

Di Matteo nears Chelsea appointment

Harry Harris
June 13, 2012

Roberto Di Matteo was due at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday as Chelsea sought to finalise his appointment.

The Blues are keen to hand Di Matteo, who led the club to FA Cup and Champions League glory as interim boss, a one-year deal but the Italian may yet insist on a two-year contract.

A Chelsea official told ESPN: "We shall be making an announcement on our website in the usual way, if and when we have something to announce."

Former Chelsea player Alan Hudson has told ESPN that he believes Di Matteo fully deserves the job on a permanent basis.

"Roberto couldn't have done any more," Hudson said at the launch of the Chelsea book The Roman Conquest at Planet Hollywood on Tuesday. "He deserves to be manager. He delivered two cups when it seemed the team were going nowhere. What more could he have done to state his case to become the manager?"

Roman Abramovich had been keen to appoint Pep Guardiola, but the former Barcelona coach has been adamant that he will take a sabbatical despite the offer of a £250,000-a-week tax-free contract.

The appointment of Di Matteo on a one-year deal would therefore allow the Blues to return for Guardiola in a year's time should the conditions be right.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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