Di Matteo appointed as Chelsea boss

Chelsea have appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their manager on a two-year deal, after his heroics in the Champions League and FA Cup.

Di Matteo was installed as caretaker manager after Andre Villas-Boas was sacked earlier in the year, and the Italian became a fan favourite for the permanent job after winning a cup double in the role, including winning the elusive European trophy.

Chelsea’s chief executive Ron Gourlay spoke of his delight at completing the signing of the former West Bromwich Albion boss.

“Roberto’s quality was clear for all to see when he galvanised the squad last season and helped the club make history, and the owner and board are very pleased he will be continuing his good work,” Gourlay told the club’s official website.

“We all believed he was a young coach with much to offer when we first asked him to take charge of team affairs in March and the manner in which he worked with us, the players and all the staff, and the success that followed, made him the clear choice when it came to selecting the person to take us forward in the seasons to come.

“We will be working closely with Roberto in the weeks ahead, some exciting signings have already been made and Roberto has had input into those.

“Although he has set the bar very high in the short time he has been in charge, we know that Roberto is the right man to lead Chelsea onto further success.”

Di Matteo was also pleased to have been given the role but is focusing on next season instead of looking back at his achievements with the club in the previous campaign.

“I’m obviously delighted to have been appointed as Manager and First-Team Coach,” he said.

“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.”