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PinnacleSurely Roberto Di Matteo has done enough to convince his employers that he is the right man to take the club forward.
With the opportunity to lift the top prize in European football on Saturday, Di Matteo could make Chelsea history by delivering what owner Roman Abramovich has wanted to top his reign and surely that would prompt the Russian billionaire to employ the former midfielder on a full-time basis.
Di Matteo has gone as quietly as he can about his business since the departure of Andre Villas-Boas winning 12 of his 19 games in charge of the Stamford Bridge club whilst winning the FA Cup against Liverpool and a famous Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona.
That victory and the tactics employed by the boss has gained praise from many who claim there was nobody who could beat Barca on their way to consecutive European cups but will this give him a job next season.
Temporary boss Di Matteo
Asked if he thought that success or failure in Munich would influence the decision, he said:
“I don’t think so. But I have no problem with it.
“My wife has booked our holidays. And I am looking forward to it. There are mobile phones. They work everywhere these days.
“It’s been great. We have had a very intense nine weeks together and it has been fantastic and we are all looking forward to next Saturday as well.
“It’s been very emotional because I feel very responsible with this club because I have played here and been part of it so it’s been a nice day.”
The last time that Chelsea visited a Champions League final was in 2008 when they were beaten in a dramatic contest on penalties in the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow by Manchester United it was Avram Grant who was the manager.
He felt the presence of Abramovich as he was ousted and Luiz Felipe Scolari was introduced as the new boss only to last 36 games before a run of bad form saw him fired.
Now everyone knows that the Russian has money to spend and only the best will do for him but will he upset the players again by once more changing the managerial role and that has placed Di Matteo at the top of the bookies favourites.
Who is Roman’s next man?
Redknapp 7/1 to swap White Hart Lane for the Bridge
Roberto Di Matteo is the favourite to be the manager at the beginning of the 2012/2013 season as SkyBet are offering 4/6 to see him installed on a permanent basis.
However, there will be more candidates for the Bridge job.
Chelsea could revive their interest in Harry Redknapp after the Spurs boss was surprisingly snubbed by England and SkyBet are offering 7/1.
Redknapp was one of the names in contention for a call from Roman Abramovich following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in March and would be a popular choice at Chelsea, where he is well known and liked by England stars John Terry and Frank Lampard.
From one potential England boss to a former England boss. Fabio Capello could be tempted to return to club management by Chelsea.
Capello wants “one more challenge” before retiring and is keen to take charge of a Premier League side after the 65-year-old stood down as England manager in February and is now looking to get back into club management.
Capello could make return to club management
He added:
“England would be very interesting for me because I know very well the teams and the players. I want to manage a team that wants to win something, if possible. It has to be interesting based on the value of the team, not money. I don’t work for money. I want to manage a team that is able to play in the Champions League and to fight for lots of trophies.”
Short odds are offered, SkyBet with 2/1, for the former England disciplinarian to have another crack at club management that in the past has seen him win nine league titles, seven in his native Italy and two in Spain, as well as a Champions League winners medal with AC Milan.
Jose Mourinho could also be making a return of his own. Chelsea fans would love to see “The Special One” back at the Bridge and with SkyBet offering 7/1 for the current Real Madrid boss to make the switch.
Rafael Benitez has already expressed his interest in returning to England as his family are settled in the country and that could lead to Abramovich acquiring his knowledge of European football glory and putting it into a Chelsea team as he is touted at 9/1 by SkyBet.
Sports Journalism student at Sunderland University. As well as contributing to SportsbookGuardian.com I have worked on the sports team at the Hartlepool Mail for two years now.
As all people from the Northeast are, I am passionate about sport and have played football for most of my life also following the ups and mostly downs of Sunderland AFC.
I do enjoy the odd flutter on the horse racing and follow boxing very closely. As you can tell, sport is a major part of my life and I hope that my blogs can create some discussion amongst you all.
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