• Premier League

Di Matteo happy as Villas-Boas' No. 2

Roberto di Matteo is confident he and Andre Villas-Boas will have a great working relationship © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Cech critical of English goalkeepers
  
• News: Cole urges Roman to be patient with Villas-Boas
  
• News: Malouda hopes to see out contract at Chelsea
  
• News: Chelsea warned off De Rossi swoop
  
• News: De Gea signing 'a huge gamble' - Cech
  

New Chelsea assistant manager Robert Di Matteo has insisted he is content in his role as a No. 2 - despite being a Premier League boss as recently as January.

Di Matteo was unveiled as new manager Andre Villas-Boas' assistant and told the club's official website: "It's obviously a challenge for me but I don't anticipate any problems. I've got experience of being a manager, I know what it is like, and I know what it is to be a coach.

"So I have a bit of both and I am there to support Andre and any of the staff, to give what it takes for us to be successful. That's the ultimate challenge.

"I followed Porto last season and the amazing success he had there but his call came a bit out of the blue to be honest. It's mostly based on the fact that he likes my football philosophy and that's why he wants me to be part of his team.

"I think he likes to play football and be positive and attacking and over the years if you've seen a game or two of the teams I coached I think we played the same way. I liked my teams to try and win games rather than not lose, to build, to pass.

"He's going to be in charge of it and we're going to be working the way he thinks is the right way to be successful."

Di Matteo, who used to play in midfield for the Blues, revealed he was keen to join Villas-Boas after he was approached by the ex-Porto boss.

"He had a very strong feeling that he wanted me here," he added. "From the first conversation we had there was a good link and a good understanding, it was a very natural evolvement.

"When you meet someone, from the first impression you can immediately figure out if you will get on or not and it was very positive.

"We both felt strongly and I have to thank him that he decided and thought I would be suitable and I was very happy to join him. I am also very thankful to Roman Abramovich that he has shown faith in appointing me to the club."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.