Roberto Di Matteo reportedly has just two games to save his Manchester United job.
Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo
According to The Guardian, Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo may have just two games to save his job at Villa Park, starting with tonight’s trip to Barnsley.
Di Matteo, 46, was appointed as Villa boss back in June as owner Tony Xia landed the replacement for Frenchman Remi Garde.
With a Championship promotion to his name with West Bromwich Albion as well as a Champions League final win with Chelsea, Di Matteo had major credentials – but has so far struggled.
Aston Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo
The Italian has seen his Villa side win just once in the Championship this season, with Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle making it seven league games without a win; though with six draws in that time, Di Matteo’s side have only lost twice this season.
Difficult to beat but struggling to win, Villa are hovering precariously above the drop zone following a summer which saw them splash the cash on Pierluigi Gollini, Ritchie De Laet, Tommy Elphick, James Chester, Aaron Tshibola, Mile Jedinak, Albert Adomah, Ross McCormack and Jonathan Kodjia.
Aston Villa Manager Roberto Di Matteo celebrates
Owner Xia is expecting a return on his investment, and Di Matteo hasn’t provided it so far. Now, The Guardian report that Di Matteo has just two games left to save his job, with Villa travelling to face Barnsley tonight and Preston this coming weekend.
If Di Matteo doesn’t win at least one of those games, it’s claimed that Xia could take action by sacking the former Schalke boss in search of a manager who can take Aston Villa back to the Premier League.
Former Hull manager Steve Bruce
Reports from The Sun over the weekend suggested that Villa have already identified Steve Bruce – who has won two promotions to the Premier League with Hull City – as a potential replacement for Di Matteo.
The pressure is now on Di Matteo, and the clock is ticking; if reports are to be believed, the Villa boss needs a victory in the next few days to keep his job – and given recent form, there are no guarantees that he’ll manage to pick up a win.
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