Blues will stick with Di Matteo

Roberto Di Matteo is expected to be made the permanent Chelsea manager this week.

The Italian’s representatives spent the weekend in talks with Chelsea officials and they were assured he is the man Roman Abramovich wants. Di Matteo has agreed to accept the position in principle and the remaining contractual issues are expected to be ironed out this week.

Talks have been ongoing for the past week, with Di Matteo increasingly confident that he would secure a deal, although he will be disappointed at the length of contract.

Senior figures at the club remain unsure whether the former West Brom manager is the right man to take over.

While hardly a ringing endorsement of Di Matteo, it is understood the Italian is prepared to accept the offer, and is expected to sign a new contract when he returns from holiday in the United States, later this week.

The 42 year-old’s current deal, as interim head coach, expires at the end of this month. His assistant, Eddie Newton, is also expected to agree a new contract.

The former West Brom manager returns from a family holiday on Wednesday. However it is thought Chelsea are likely to wait until Di Matteo is back in London before making an official announcement.

Formerly assistant manager, Di Matteo was appointed interim coach following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in March. He led Chelsea to a historic Champions League triumph over Bayern Munich last month and also lifted the FA Cup as he lost just three out of 21 matches to restore some much-needed pride to Stamford Bridge.

Di Matteo’s case was strengthened by the willingness of the senior players to see him handed the chance to build on last season’s triumphs.

One issue that remains unresolved, however, is the length of the contract.

Di Matteo had expressed a reluctance to accept a short-term deal, fearing it would affect his authority at the club and his ability to make long-term decisions.

But he had the overwhelming support of the players and that is believed to have stood to him in negotiations.

“I think Roberto has done enough to get the job so let’s see,” said the goalkeeper, Petr Cech at the end of the season.

“Everybody wrote us off against Barcelona, everybody said we have no chance against Bayern. So, we kept proving everybody wrong.”

And Gary Cahill, who spent the first half of the season at Bolton before moving to Stamford Bridge, fully backed Di Matteo, who was Villas-Boas’ assistant before being promoted. He has really flipped the season on its head since I came here. The results show that he has done a fantastic job. Whether he gets the job full time or not, who knows, but he will always be a massive part of this club. Do I want him to get the job full-time? Well I don’t see anything wrong at the minute.”