ROBERTO DI MATTEO has been appointed as the new manager of Aston Villa, according to reports.
Aston Villa have appointed Roberto Di Matteo as their new manager
Di Matteo will replace Remi Garde, who was sacked in March prior to the club’s relegation from the Premier League and will become the club’s fourth manager in just over 16 months.
BBC Sport report the 46-year-old, who has been out of work since leaving Schalke last summer, will be assisted by former Reading and West Brom boss Steve Clarke at Viilla
Di Matteo, who guided West Brom to promotion to the Premier League in 2009 and won the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012, is said to have held successful talks with chairman Steve Hollis last week and was new Villa owner Dr Tony Xia’s first choice for the job.
The Chinese businessman, whose takeover is currently awaiting Football League League approval, is hopeful the Italian boss can secure Villa an instant return to the top flight.
Di Matteo is said to have signed an initial two-year deal worth £1.8million a season and willreportedly receive a £2m bonus should he earn promotion.
Xia is reportedly going to do his best to ensure this happens by investing £50m into the playing squad and looks set to rename Villa Park.