The Roberto Di Matteo Dilemma

In just four months, Roberto Di Matteo succeeded where previous managers have failed.

When Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich took over in 2003, he underlined the importance of winning the Champions League for Chelsea and how it would cement the club amongst Europe’s elite.

After a substantial amount of money was injected into the club, many believed this was a benchmark for the trophies to follow. However success on the European stage was not imminent, arguably Chelsea’s most successful manager of all time Jose Mourinho, led the club to domestic glory but not even he could not follow suit in Europe.

The desire to win the most prestigious trophy in club football had become an obsession for the Chelsea contingent, especially after an array of managers had tried and failed to bring European glory to Stamford Bridge.

During the first six months of the 2011/2012 season, a period in which the Chelsea squad had come under relentless scrutiny from the media about the age of the squad. Many dismissed any chance this golden generation of players, many of which were implemented by ‘The Special One’, had of being able to win the most coveted trophy in Europe.

Manager at the time Andre-Villas Boas, came to Stamford Bridge with the philosophy to shift the older players on with the likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard & Ashley Cole all finding themselves on the bench for big games. This seemingly spelled the end for the former Porto man, with his then assistant-manager Roberto Di Matteo taking over as Interim coach. Questions were then asked following the sacking of AVB, about the influence the Chelsea players have and whether or not they dictate the dressing room.

Roberto Di Matteo, a former Chelsea player , was afforded an opportunity  to stabilize the club for the remainder of the season but having just been beaten away in Naples, he and the players had a mountain to climb or so it seemed. Their fortunes would subsequently change, following extraordinary performances at home to Napoli and in both legs against Barcelona. The Italian achieved the unthinkable, not only securing the club’s 4^th FA Cup success in 5 years, but winning the Champions League for the very first time in Chelsea’s history, the RDM effect was nothing short of miraculous.

The Chelsea legend had transformed the club, brought back the winning mentality and restored the desire and determination we’re so used to being associated with a club like Chelsea. He also reinstalled the camaraderie amongst the players making them a solid and cohesive unit, which was reiterated against Barcelona and Munich.

But without undermining his achievements at Chelsea he was only an interim coach, which begs the question whether or not he will get the job on a permanent basis. The general consensus amongst Chelsea fans is that he should be given the managerial position without question and the players concur. On the other hand Abramovich, Gourlay & Buck may waver their decision on whether or not Di Matteo can build his own team and instigate his own style of football at Stamford Bridge.

There is no doubt that the squad needs re-building, refresh a somewhat ageing squad whilst still keeping that mix of youth and experience which Manchester United portray so well.

As we’ve recently seen with Eden Hazard making the move from Lille to Chelsea, according to him the fact the West London outfit are European Champions reaffirmed his move and there will be many like the Belgian. Winning the most sought after trophy in club football comes with a certain expectation and will undoubtedly attract some of Europe’s hottest talent.

Whether or not Roberto Di Matteo can be the man to brandish his own ideology on the club, as well as rebuilding for the future remains to be seen. Abramovich may yet still want a household name like Guardiola or Capello, to write a new page in Chelsea’s future.

One thing is for certain, Roberto Di Matteo has done himself no harm in securing a credible contract with Chelsea or any other top club for that matter, what he and his backroom staff achieved in such a short space of time was nothing short of special and if he wasn’t already a Chelsea legend he’s definitely secured himself in the history books now.

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