The Roberto Di Matteo Thread

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I understand some people's concerns about this appointment and they have valid points (SeB's post was typically excellent). Yes Robbie has not yet proved to be a world-class manager despite his accomplishments last season, but he surely hasn't proved to an awful manager. I am glad he got the chance to prove that he is good enough to manage Chelsea because I think last season's accomplishments, though may not be due to managerial and tactical brilliance, have justified taking a risk on him and giving him a shot to prove himself.

[blue_swaggin_96 96]

What about Sturridge?.....

lets be honest here, i don't believe he'll thrive here, im not to optimistic about youth players this days, maybe Roman has spoil some chelsea fans, but thas just me.

[Ollie 4,400]

It would've been an embarrassment to sack a manager who won the FA Cup and Champions League. We've been called a lot of things by a lot of people in the past, the way we've let managers come and go but i'm glad Roman has dodged this one. It's only right that Di Matteo gets his spot. He deserves it without doubt. It may have happened by accident but we got our bright young fresh manager and he happens to be a real blue blood. Destiny.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

lets be honest here, i don't believe he'll thrive here, im not to optimistic about youth players this days, maybe Roman has spoil some chelsea fans, but thas just me.

Well that's just wrong. I don't even see what's special about Jovetic. He doesn't look any Better than Sturridge so I would stick with Sturridge. He hasn't had a chance to play as a CF.

[Milan 17,854]

Speaking to The Guardian, the 42-year-old said: "We certainly want to do better in the league.

"Last season was a difficult one and we want to bridge that gap between us and the two Manchester teams and, obviously, continue to do well in the cup competitions.

"I had a wonderful break with my family, it was very enjoyable, but now the work starts. I have to start planning for pre-season."

[The Skipper 20,593]

lets be honest here, i don't believe he'll thrive here, im not to optimistic about youth players this days, maybe Roman has spoil some chelsea fans, but thas just me.

Daniel will surprise you, and many others, if he plays as "back up" to Torres next season.

[Superblue 6,370]

Still no concrete news on Eddie Newton yet no??

[Matthew Chadwick 12]

Happy with the appointment , should have come sooner, happy that he gets a 2 year deal... Just hope he doesnt get sacked !

[pride of lions 59]

From the minute he put on a blue shirt he was 100% Chelsea and when he took over the team he got them playing like that, which was an 180 degree turn around from the way that they had being playing previously. Anyone that was at the West Brom game could see that the team just didn't give a shit for the club, the shirt or each other. As a player I cannot remember one game that you could ever fault his commitment and his class was obvious. I just hope he is given the chance to do it without any interference from the suits or the owner.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

No-one can say di Matteo does not deserve this. Fair point that he sacrificed our league form for the cup competitions (in my opinion a little prematurely, it wasn't really until the Newcastle result that we were out of the equation), and that the style of play, at times, was very negative. But it was successful, winning football. In 50 years, no-one will remember di Matteo as the man who led a Chelsea side to an incredible Double just through shit football. He'll simply be remembered as a genius. And rightly so.

This was the right appointment, even if it seen by some as just a sentimental gesture to appease the fans.

[Jype 6,398]

Rumors of Marcel Desailly coming back to Chelsea to take a role in Di Matteo's management team as a defensive coach. Wouldn't be against this but no good sources yet, just some shitty rumors on twitter.

[Spike 12,049]

Rumors of Marcel Desailly coming back to Chelsea to take a role in Di Matteo's management team as a defensive coach. Wouldn't be against this but no good sources yet, just some shitty rumors on twitter.

Imagine if Marcel and Franck came back! It would be like an early 00's renaissance.

[Ollie 4,400]

I love it when legends come back, to see Marcel come back would be incredible to see, hope it happens.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

Rumors of Marcel Desailly coming back to Chelsea to take a role in Di Matteo's management team as a defensive coach. Wouldn't be against this but no good sources yet, just some shitty rumors on twitter.

Be awesome, but you still got to bring the big one Robbie.

Zola at the Bridge!!!

[Leif 6,006]

I agree with the above.

I love legends coming back. It makes the club more attractive and improves the family feel.

Example - Zidane, one of the greatest players of all time, now works at Real Madrid and does scouting, gives opinions etc.

If an attacking midfielder who idolized Zidane (like many do) is deciding whether or not to join Madrid after receiving an offer, and then finds out that Zidane himself was part of the people wanting him at the club, that would almost guarantee him joining.

It also adds more people to the club who genuinely want the best for the club, and don't just want to fill their pockets as a staff member while secretly supporting Arsenal or someone.

I'd be very glad to add Desailly as a defensive coach, Zola as a member of the board (wouldn't have to be too involved), and then Shevchenko or Tore Andre Flo or someone coming in and coaching the strikers.

I wish I could think of a role for Dennis Wise (if Newton leaves, I'd love him as assistant), but I can't come up with something which would best use his skills as a person. He's more of a motivator than a coach in my opinion.

[Justin_3d 1,140]

BTW if I am not mistaken, Desailly first cup with Chelsea was the UEFA Super Cup.

Desailly now coming back to do it again?

[Jype 6,398]

If an attacking midfielder who idolized Zidane (like many do) is deciding whether or not to join Madrid after receiving an offer, and then finds out that Zidane himself was part of the people wanting him at the club, that would almost guarantee him joining.

Luckily for us Hazard didn't think that way.

I see a lot of you got all excited of those Desailly rumors. It's fine but just don't shoot the messenger if it doesn't happen (I did say there are no reliable sources yet).

[royg 96]

I'm not sure if Dennis Wise is somehow involved in Chelsea Board, CPO or in whatever sense. I saw his name in the CPO Minute

http://theblues.chelseafc.com/documents/CPO%20Board%20Minutes%2014%20Jun%202012%20v2.pdf