CHELSEA APPOINTS NEW COACH

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed manager and first-team coach on a permanent basis.

The Italian returned to Stamford Bridge today following his holiday to finalise a two-year contract.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay says: 'Roberto's quality was clear for all to see when he galvanised the squad last season and helped the club make history, and the owner and board are very pleased he will be continuing his good work.

'We all believed he was a young coach with much to offer when we first asked him to take charge of team affairs in March and the manner in which he worked with us, the players and all the staff, and the success that followed, made him the clear choice when it came to selecting the person to take us forward in the seasons to come.

'We will be working closely with Roberto in the weeks ahead, some exciting signings have already been made and Roberto has had input into those.

'Although he has set the bar very high in the short time he has been in charge, we know that Roberto is the right man to lead Chelsea onto further success.'

Di Matteo, who turned 42 last month, was interim first-team coach for the final 11 weeks of last season, leading the club to an historic Champions League and FA Cup double triumph.

Check out his first exclusive interview on RDM Intervie