The former West Bromwich Albion boss is the new manager of Blues’ city rivals Aston Villa.
Di Matteo in charge of the Baggies
Almost six years since his departure from West Bromwich Albion, Roberto Di Matteo is set for a return to the West Midlands as the new manager of Aston Villa.
Having led the Baggies to promotion from the Championship, the Italian will be looking to replicate his success at Villa park.
But could he have managed a third club in the area?
Di Matteo is said to have applied for the Birmingham job in 2011
Back in 2011, Di Matteo was reported by the Guardian to have applied for the vacant Birmingham City post – a position that was later filled by Chris Hughton, with the 46-year-old said to have been overlooked.
Instead, he returned to Chelsea – having spent six years a player at Stamford Bridge – initially as Andre Villas-Boas’ assistant, before ending the campaign a Champions League-winning boss.
Di Matteo prepares to lift the Champions League trophy
But when asked about the Birmingham rumours two years ago, Di Matteo told Four Four Two: “Don’t believe everything that you read because that’s not true!”
Another former West Brom boss, Steve Clarke, is expected to assist Di Matteo at Villa Park, after the two played together at Chelsea.
The Scot has been out of work since December, when he was sacked by the Villans’ Championship rivals Reading.
Clarke will reportedly assist Di Matteo at Villa Park
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