Roberto Di Matteo Joins Chelsea

Chelsea have today confirmed that former player Roberto Di Matteo will join the Blues as Assistant Manager, the former West Brom manager will join up with Andre Villas-Boas to work with Chelsea’s new chief as they embark on a new Premier League campaign.

The 41-year-old coach spent six years at Stamford Bridge, signing from Lazio in 1996 and staying until his forced retirement from injury as a player in 2002.

Following a run of poor results in February for West Brom, Di Matteo was sacked, the Italian has been out the game since and will now look forward to working with Villa-Boas.

Villas-Boas said: "If you see the technical staff in front of me, and my appointment of Roberto, these are people who like the quality of the game and have a philosophy.

"It's not just a case of winning it's a case of flair.

"Everyone likes attacking football and the Premier League has a certain amount of goals in every game and it should be an entertaining game for the fans and that is what we will look to do."

Porto Striker Falcao Could Joins Villas-Boas At Chelsea

Andre Villas-Boas could go back to former club Porto to raid some of its star players, forward Radamel Falcao is heavily linked with a move to Chelsea and could well be the new Chelsea manager first signing.

The new Blues manager who penned a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge yesterday has insisted he will not be off-loading any of the current players at Chelsea, but he hasn’t ruled out making offers for new players.

The prolific hitman has admitted he is keen to test himself at the highest level and may be ready to follow his 33-year-old boss in departing the Europa League winners.

"I am leaving things up to my agent," Falcao said.

"I am very calm about the situation but I know there has been some movement.

"My ambition is to keep working hard and I am convinced I can play in a superior league like England.
"If Chelsea is interested in me then all that needs to happen is for negotiations to take place."

Falcao is understood to have a £26million release clause in his contract and Porto president has admitted that if the release clause is meet, Jorge Pinto da Costa will consider offers.

Chelsea are also being linked with Joao Moutinho now that Villas-Boas completed his switch to West London, the playmaker also have a release clause in his contract and the Porto president said if their valuation is meet both players could leave Porto.

He said: "If there are termination clauses we have to prepare for the possibility that a player will leave at the value set out.

"But I am not going to negotiate that price with anyone.

"As with Villas-Boas, there was no conversation with Chelsea, just the money paid into our account to release him."

Chelsea Confirm Villas-Boas Appointment

Chelsea have today confirmed that Andre Villas-Boas is their new manager, the former Porto boss has signed a three-year deal at Stamford Bridge and will start his new job straight away.

Chelsea yesterday paid Porto £13.3m to activate his release clause so Villas-Boas could join the Blues and having agreed personal terms today he has been unveiled as their new chief.

Villas-Boas was previously at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho he is already familiar with the club.
Chelsea released a statement on their website and it said; "Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that Andre Villas-Boas will be the club's new manager.

"He has signed a three-year contract and will start work immediately.

"Andre was the outstanding candidate for the job. He is one of the most talented young managers in football today and has already achieved much in a relatively short space of time.

"His ambition, drive and determination matches that of Chelsea and we are confident Andre's leadership of the team will result in greater successes in major domestic and European competitions.

"Andre will bring his coaching experience back to a club he is already very familiar with, having previously worked here for three years.

"He has always been highly regarded at Chelsea and everyone here looks forward to welcoming him back and working with him."

Chelsea Close To Announcing Andre Villas-Boas As Chelsea Manager

Chelsea have tonight paid FC Porto £13.3m compensation to release Andre Villas-Boas from his contract with the Portuguese champions, Villas-Boas had earlier resigned from his post..

Andre previously had a spell with Chelsea working alongside Jose Mourinho and is often referred to as ‘Mini-Mourhino’, the 33-year-old helped guide Porto to Europa-League success while winning the cup and league title in Portugal this season and he is set to hold talks with Chelsea in London on Wednesday to discuss personal terms.

Should he agree personal terms, Villas-Boas will become the youngest Premier League manager.

Chelsea had been on the look out for a new manager after sacking Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the season, it now seems certain that the Blues will get their man.

Chelsea said in a statement on their official website: "We note that the release clause of Andre Villas-Boas has been activated.

"We can at this time confirm our interest in him and hope to reach agreement with him on personal terms and make a further announcement in the near future."

Porto has also confirmed that Vitor Pereira will now takeover as their new coach on a two-year contract, after announcing earlier that they had received payment to release Villas-Boas.

A statement to the Portuguese Securities Market Commission read: "FC Porto, in accordance with Article 248 paragraph 1 of the Securities Code, hereby informs the market they have received from Mr Andre Villas-Boas the amount provided for in clause to terminate his employment contract."