Blues choose Di Matteo

Chelsea have appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their full-time coach on a two-year contract.

The Blues have moved to confirm the Italian as their permanent boss just three weeks after he led them to their first Champions League title while in interim charge. Di Matteo replaced Andre Villas-Boas for the final 11 weeks of the season and inspired a stunning rejuvenation of a side that had been deemed too old, as they won the FA Cup before their famous penalty shoot-out win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League final. Di Matteo, who turned 42 last month, was ecstatic to take on the role permanently. "I'm obviously delighted to have been appointed as manager and first-team coach," Di Matteo said. "We all achieved incredible success last season that made history for this great club. "Our aim is to continue building on that and I'm already planning and looking forward to the squad's return for pre-season."