ROBERTO Di Matteo insists he is more than happy playing second fiddle at Chelsea and that a close personal relationship with the manager
convinces him he was right to come to the Bridge.
The Blues legend might have seen a job as Andre Villas-Boas ' understudy as a step down after managing West Brom in the Premier League, but the Italian says that is simply not the case.
And there is no question of frustration at having to work for the younger man or at not being able to call the shots as he did in his previous job at the Hawthorns.
“Is there frustration? No, not at all,” Di Matteo said. “I knew at the start the role I was going to have within the club, and I'm very happy with my role. I don't think it could have been any better.
“I have a fantastic feeling and the relationship [with Villas-Boas] grows day by day.
“We talk a lot, but he makes his own decisions at the end. We have a very good relationship, like he has with all the technical staff and we have developed not only a professional relationship, but also a personal relationship and I think we will be friends for the rest of our lives.
“From the first conversation that we had, it was very clear that we could work together and I think he got that feeling as well. I guess that's why he wanted me with him.”
So how long might Chelsea's assistant manager remain in the role?
“Only the future will tell,” he said. “But I'm very happy to be here. It's my club – or at least I feel at home here, and me and Andre have developed a very good working relationship, so I think that's maybe something to discuss at the end of the season – after seeing if we have won a few trophies.”
Di Matteo added: “Andre is very well prepared and very mature for his young age. He has a very wide knowledge of the Premier League and
international football in general.
“I know you media guys like to focus on his age, but he's a very talented and ambitious manager and he knows his stuff.”

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