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Di Matteo named new MK Dons boss

02/07/2008

Former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed the new manager of MK Dons on a one-year contract.

Di Matteo takes over from Paul Ince who recently left the club to manage Blackburn Rovers.

Ince guided the Dons into League One in his first full season at the club, leaving Di Matteo with a hard act to follow.

It is the first managerial job the former Italian international has taken since his playing career was prematurely ended in 2002.

Established managers such as Ian Holloway and former Burnley manager Steve Cotterill had been linked with the vacant position in Milton Keynes.

But the club felt Di Matteo ambition and hunger to succeed were enough to land him the job.

A club statement said: "Milton Keynes Dons football club is delighted to announce the appointment of Roberto Di Matteo as the club's new manager.

"The former Italy, Chelsea and Lazio midfielder has signed a one-year contract with a one-year option with the Dons and will take charge of first team matters immediately.

"Like the club itself, Roberto is young, ambitious and hungry to succeed. We are enormously excited about the team moving forward under his leadership."

Di Matteo will be officially unveiled as the team's new manager at a press conference on Thursday.

The 38-year-old joined Chelsea from Lazio in 1996 after representing Italy in Euro 96.