Roberto Di Matteo Ready to Manage Again
Courtesy of Flickr user UK in Italy
Chelsea FC legend and former manager Roberto Di Matteo has finally spoken to the media again since being fired from his post with the Blues and claims he is ready to return to management. Di Matteo was Andre Villas-Boas’s assistant before taking over as interim manager halfway through the 2011-12 season and led the Blues to a historic double by winning the FA Cup and Champions League. He was given an extension but was fired by Chelsea brass in 2012-13 after being eliminated from the Champions League group stages and performing poorly in the Premier League. Much to the chagrin of Chelsea supporters he was replaced by the reviled former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez who won the Europa League with the Blues.
Di Matteo on his experience and connection with Chelsea FC:
"“I was deeply disappointed with the change but I wasn’t in a position to do anything. I still wish Chelsea and all the players every success. I spent so many years connected to the club. One incident is not going to change that. We achieved something that will connect us for the rest of our lives, that group of players, with the staff we had. And there were a lot of supportive messages from the players in the weeks of my release. I knew we were together in all of this. And there will always be a positive feeling between us.”"
Di Matteo has been living the good life since being fired. He still receives a paycheck from Chelsea, and because of the trophies on his resume he is a desirable candidate for many clubs in Europe. He claims that he has been “overwhelmed with offers” which is not surprising but he has chosen not to accept any posts so far. Wherever Di Matteo ends up managing, unless its at a rival club of course, Chelsea fans will be rooting for their favorite Swiss/Italian hero who delivered the holy grail of trophies to Stamford Bridge.
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