Source: Team_Talk
Di Matteo tipped for Albion hot-seat
Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace spent a number of weeks drawing up a shortlist for interviews following Tony Mowbray's move to Celtic, and ended up approaching MK Dons and the Lilywhites with a view to holding talks with Irvine and Di Matteo.
Both men impressed in interviews but Irvine has decided to stay at Deepdale, clearing the way for Italian Di Matteo to take the reins at The Hawthorns, with an appointment expected to be confirmed on Tuesday night.
The former Chelsea midfielder caught the eye last season, when he steered the Dons into third place in League One before ultimately falling at the play-offs hurdle.
Peace wants a manager to continue the flowing style of football played under Mowbray's tenure, and Di Matteo has a similar attacking philosophy with MK Dons scoring 83 goals in 46 league games last season.
Peterborough boss Darren Ferguson, St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes and former Watford gaffer Aidy Boothroyd had been named as contenders, but it appears Di Matteo will be leading the Baggies when they open the 2009/10 Championship season against Newcastle on home turf.
