Di Matteo ends gardening leave

29 June 2011 14:25
RDM takes Chelsea role Roberto Di Matteo has formally ended his association with the Baggies and joined Chelsea as Andre Villas-Boas’ new Assistant Coach. The former Chelsea player had been on gardening leave after he was dismissed from first-team duties in early February. The former MK Dons chief joined Albion after Tony Mowbray’s resignation and led the club to automatic promotion in his first season in charge. The charismatic Italian led Albion to their best ever Premier League start, beating Arsenal at the Emirates and becoming the only side to take points of Manchester United at Old Trafford. But results quickly deteriorated as the Baggies slipped from fifth to fourth from bottom. Following Albion’s 3-0 defeat at Manchester City, he was placed on gardening leave and watched as Roy Hodgson moved Albion towards safety. Di Matteo took charge of 83 games as Albion boss, winning 40, drawing 19 and losing 24. Will RDM be more success at Stamford Bridge than at The Hawthorns? Have your say at Baggies Banter here.

Source: FOOTYMAD