Former Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo believes the Blues will struggle to land a Champions League place this season despite recent good form and is unsure as to who will be placed in charge to lead the side forward next term.
The Italian, who played for the Stamford Bridge side between 1996 and 2002 and famously guided Roman Abramovich’s club to the Champions League title in 2012, believes Chelsea’s upturn in fortunes can see them end the season on a high but their best chance of top European football next term will come by winning the competition again and gaining automatic entry.
“In the last couple of months they’ve actually picked up good, positive results. It happens sometimes that teams have a little bit of a slump and now they seem to have got back to winning ways and they can look forward to a very exciting finish to the season,” the 45-year-old told Sport360 during his appearance at the Abu Dhabi Invitational at Yas Links Golf Course.
“Personally I think to qualify for the Champions League will be very tough. Statistically it is still possible but it will be very, very difficult. It’s probably best to focus on the Champions League itself and the best chance they have is probably to win it again. You never know in football, it is unpredictable but I think it will be too difficult.”
And with Guss Hiddink only in charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, Di Matteo believes the fans should trust the club’s board to bring the right man in.
He added: “I think Chelsea will finish the season strongly. They are back in form and playing at a good level. I think the people responsible at the club will make the decisions who they think will be the right person to take the club forward in the next few years.”
Di Matteo, who had John Terry as his captain during his time as manager, has hailed the 35-year-old’s contribution to the club but refused to be drawn on whether it was a good decision or not to renew the one club man’s contract at the end of the season.
“He’s part of a very unique club in terms of there are not many players now in the modern football game that spend their entire club with one club, so he’s certainly going to be remembered as the greatest captain in the history of the club.
“He’s had a very successful career their too, so there are a lot of good memories for him, as well as the fans. I think it’s been a great career, certainly.”
As for his own future, Di Matteo, who resigned as manager of Bundesliga side Schalke after less than a season in charge in May last year, remained coy on when asked if he will manage in the Premier League again in the future.
“We’ll see. I don’t know. I’m going to be managing again soon but I’m not sure what it’s going to be, will it be England or somewhere else in Europe. I can’t tell you. I cannot tell you. There are always discussions going on constantly but it’s too early to say anything at the moment.”