Will Roberto Di Matteo be Managing Chelsea Next Year?
Incredibly, the man who guided Chelsea to their first Champions League triumph is not guaranteed his place in the dugout next season...
Mon, 21/05/2012 - 13:47
"For all his investment into the club, Roman Abramovich has shown himself to be a ruthless operator."
Champions League winner. It's a pretty good way to start your CV. Saturday's dramatic triumph, though, could be Roberto Di Matteo's last act as Chelsea manager, with the club yet to confirm who will take the reigns full-time next year.
Di Matteo, who has proved popular with an experienced group of players, has seen his position strengthened enormously over the last two months. Initially appointed as a stop-gap after André Villas-Boas fell on his sword, his gregarious personality and measured tactics have propelled the London club to a historic cup double. Clearly a hit in west London, he can be backed at 1.40 to be in charge come 1 September.
One name, however, ensures that Di Matteo cannot afford to count his chickens. For all his investment into the club, Roman Abramovich has shown himself to be a ruthless operator; willing to chop and change between managers at the drop of a hat. Di Matteo may be the common sense choice, but the Russian billionaire cannot always be expected to adhere to footballing logic.
If Abramovich decides that RDM is not the man to take charge in the long term, he could turn to Fabio Capello. A torrid spell as England coach may have blotted his copybook on this shores, but the Italian's pedigree cannot be called into question. With a hatful of titles to his name, Capello has shown that he can bring success to a club over a sustained period. At 4.50, he is the leading alternative to Di Matteo.
Other options are available within the Premier League. Harry Redknapp can be backed at 8.00 to switch allegiances, whilst Swansea boss Brendan Rogers, a former reserve team coach at Chelsea, is on at 30.00. Rafael Benitez (15.00) and Paul Lambert (50.00) are others with an intimate knowledge of the English game.
Abramovich could also turn back to his beloved José Mourinho, who is priced at 11.00 to return to Stamford Bridge. Such a move seems unlikely, but managerial appointments always have the potential to surprise. Roberto Di Matteo - as well as many Chelsea fans - will just be hoping that common sense prevails.
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