Di Matteo confirmed as Blues boss

It has been dragging on since the club’s memorable Champions League victory last month, yet Blues supporters can finally rest easier after Roberto Di Matteo was officially announced as Chelsea’s new manager.

Having initially taken over from Andre Villas-Boas in March, the former West Brom boss oversaw a terrific improvement at Stamford Bridge and eventually masterminded an FA Cup and Champions League victory. Such success prompted the vast majority of Blues fans to call for the club’s ex-midfielder to be named as permanent manager, but there were always doubts about such a move with Roman Abramovich’s first choice thought to be Pep Guardiola.

However, the move has officially been confirmed, with Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay saying, “We all believed he was a young coach with much to offer when we first asked him to take charge 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. 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 on to further success.”

Di Matteo has signed a two year contract with the club and the 42-year-old was clearly delighted with the news. He said, “Our aim is to continue building on that [previous success] and I’m already looking forward to the squad’s return for pre-season.”

Even though the club have been without a permanent manager in recent weeks, they have still managed to complete the signings of Eden Hazard and Marko Marin, while they have also been linked with a move for Brazilian striker Hulk. It remains to be seen whether or not their transfer policy will have changed now Di Matteo is permanently at the helm.