Di Matteo appointed Mowbray’s successor

WEST BROM last night appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their new head coach.

The 39-year-old has signed a 12-month rolling contract to lead the Baggies who were relegated from the Premier League last season and who have been searching for a new manager after Tony Mowbray left for Celtic earlier this month.

Di Matteo arrives with just one year’s coaching experience under his belt after being appointed MK Dons manager last summer.

Commenting on Di Matteo’s appointment, West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace said: “I am delighted with Roberto’s appointment, which concludes an intensive selection process during which over 40 names were considered.

“We shortlisted two outstanding candidates, spoke to both of them after receiving permission from their clubs, and ultimately Roberto was the unanimous choice of the board.’’

A statement on the MK Dons website stated that while the club are ‘extremely disappointed’ to lose Di Matteo they understood the move to the Hawthorns represented a ‘big step forward’ for the Italian.

“Having enjoyed an extremely successful first season in Milton Keynes, his first managerial position, it came as little surprise that Robby’s undoubted qualities would prove attractive to a club at a higher level,’’ the statement read. “While we are extremely disappointed to lose our manager so close to the start of pre-season, we recognise that the opportunity at the Hawthorns represents a big step forward in Robby’s career.’’

Eddie Newton and Ade Mafe follow Di Matteo to the Baggies to take up positions as assistant head coach and fitness coach respectively.