Championship - West Brom appoint Di Matteo

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 17:39:00 2009

Roberto Di Matteo has been named head coach of Championship club West Brom, replacing recently-appointed Celtic boss Tony Mowbray.

FOOTBALL League One MK Dons Roberto Di Matteo - 0

The Italian has signed a 12-month rolling contract at The Hawthorns after joining from League One club MK Dons.

Albion chairman Jeremy Peace said: "I am delighted with Roberto's appointment, which concludes an intensive selection process during which over 40 names were considered.

"We shortlisted two outstanding candidates, spoke to both of them after receiving permission from their clubs, and ultimately Roberto was the unanimous choice of the board."

Albion were relegated from Premier League in May after finishing bottom.

Di Matteo, a former star of Chelsea's midfield, has only one season of management experience under his belt.

He replaced Paul Ince last summer after the former Manchester United midfielder left to take the reins at Blackburn. Ince has since been replaced by Sam Allardyce.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 20 of 40

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  1. Could be good appointment,Italians normally make sure­ the defeence is watertight before anything else and­ that is Baggies top priority.Lets hope Peace and co.­ let him do his job properly

    From roy, on Wed 1 Jul 9:51AM

  2. Strange 1 for me, with only 1 years management in a­ lower league, and MK Dons were 1 of the favorites last­ year and they came third? Time will tell.

    From terri-ann, on Wed 1 Jul 9:22AM

  3. should have stayed at mk for another season,then if he­ got a offer,then left
    is the first div to much for­ him?will see

    From Martin, on Wed 1 Jul 9:13AM

  4. I would have tried to get Darren Ferguson but Di Matteo­ has proven himself to be quite an astute manager. As­ for Curbishley, I wouldn't want him as my manager.­ And I hope Ince goes back to MK Dons. He is a good­ manager but never stood a chance at Blackburn.

    From The Xentertainer, on Wed 1 Jul 8:04AM

  5. omg i never even considered him. To be honest i would­ have chosen Curbishley if his name was on the list,­ Roberto only has 1 years experience in management and i­ really hope Peace now has the cahonas to give him a bit­ of cash to buy a good defence and get rid of the @#$%­ we have there already. Just a point of­ note....................what does Roberto think of the­ Cox appointment? Boing boing

    From BOB S, on Wed 1 Jul 7:26AM

  6. MK Dons seem to get a fair plethora of ex EPL players­ as managers - should be an interesting season for WBA

    From ispurs, on Wed 1 Jul 7:02AM

  7. There's so much news in the SPL, that we have to­ read about the Premiership.
    Nice one Yahoo/Eurosport.

    From Kev, on Wed 1 Jul 12:35AM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    boing! boing!, bouncin' back!!!!! see the @#$% in­ passing by us next season, dingle @#$%!!!!!!!!

    From MatthewW, on Wed 1 Jul 12:32AM

  9. Matteo likes playing with yo yos.

    From McCauley Culkin, on Wed 1 Jul 12:25AM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    THAS AS A TARRABOL APINTMONT.

    From Donney, on Wed 1 Jul 12:24AM

  11. Wished Mowbray had stayed but good news that DeMatteo­ is going to be our next manager with a bit more luck­ next season we will be back to the premiership soon.­ Dragon Dave

    From m.griffiths08, on Wed 1 Jul 12:06AM

  12. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm i thought they were going to ask my­ mates dad he runs a team of semi pros and he did apply­ ,,, :)))) i am shocked like a naked carrot

    From Robert G, on Tue 30 Jun 11:30PM
  13. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    ha the curse of the managers that leave mk dons will be­ with you! martin allen sacked in his next job after­ leaving dons then paul ince. there is no loyalty in­ football anymore just money. THE CURSE IS WITH YOU­ MATTEO

    From elliottcosford, on Tue 30 Jun 11:30PM

  14. i was expecting curbs,to be apointed,which would have­ been great,but the board have made there choice,i hope­ its a good one, lets hope we see some goals this­ season,good luck to matteo and his staff come on you­ baggies.

    From BrianC, on Tue 30 Jun 10:27PM

  15. ROBINSON,CARSON,MEITE,MOORE,VALERO,FORTUNE,TEIXEIRA,CEC­ H,BEDNAR,......ALL A WASTE OF TIME,PACK YOUR BAG'S­ AND F*$F OFF......NOW

    From CHRISTOPHER, on Tue 30 Jun 10:19PM

  16. Better appointment than Irvine and Dave Jones, never­ realised he was on the list, top of the list for me­ unless we could have got Curbs. Put more sparkle in the­ dressing room than mowbray and may even get some­ defenders, what are they Mowbray would ask. Robbo clear­ off up to Celtic and take the rest of the defence with­ you. Whats MK dons keeper like, may we can swap him­ with that carson reject.
    All the best Matteo, you will­ need it working for Peace our other stumbling block. ­ Boing Boing Baggies

    From si.worton, on Tue 30 Jun 10:09PM

  17. Good luck to him, he might not jump ship like Mowbray­ when the going gets tough,

    From Gary S, on Tue 30 Jun 9:51PM

  18. cor do no wuz than mowbray

    From Mark, on Tue 30 Jun 9:27PM

  19. Hope ha does well at the Hawthorns.

    HAIL HAIL!

    From sherbet_d, on Tue 30 Jun 9:25PM

  20. good appointment only need to get robinson out the door­ now

    From jonathanaulton, on Tue 30 Jun 9:12PM
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