The Dons have today announced that the former Chelsea and Italy midfielder Roberto di Matteo has been appointed the new MK Dons manager replacing Paul Ince who joined Premiership Blackburn Rovers.

This is Di Matteo’s first job in management since having to retire early through injury. The former Chelsea star, who won two FA Cups, a European Cup Winners' Cup and a League Cup in over 170 appearances for Chelsea, has recently been taking his coaching qualifications with UEFA and the Football Association. He was linked with a return to Stamford Bridge back in April 2008 to work as a coach alongside Avram Grant but after his departure from Chelsea this never materialised.

Swiss born Di Matteo began his footballing career with the Swiss side FC Schaffhausen where he played over 50 times. He also enjoyed successful spells at FC Zurich, Aarau, Lazio before Ruud Gullit paid £4.9m to bring him to Premiership Chelsea back in 1996 – Incidentally, at the time this was Chelsea’s record signing!

Sadly he had to retire from playing aged just 31 after suffering a serious break during a UEFA Cup tie against St Gallen in September 2000. After 18 months on the sidelines Di Matteo retired.

Di Matteo brings with him a wealth of domestic experience and has been capped 34 times by World Cup Champions Italy. He made his International debut for Italy back in November 1994 against Croatia in a European Championship Qualifier. Having played twice against England in his 4 year International career his final game for Italy was in the 1998 World Cup against Cameroon.

Di Matteo also holds the record for the fastest FA Cup final goal when he scored after just 43 seconds against Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup Final at Wembley.

The MKDSA welcome Roberto Di Matteo to Milton Keynes and wish him lots of luck in his first managerial role.

More information on mkdons.com