Five possible destinations for Di Matteo following Schalke exit
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Following the news that Swiss-born Italian Roberto Di Matteo has resigned from his position as Schalke boss, after his side finished sixth for the season following their loss to relegation-threatened Hamburg on the final day, Coral writers find five potential new clubs for him.
Di Matteo is most famed for his time in charge of his former team Chelsea, leading them to a Champions League and FA Cup double in 2011/12, and also took West Bromwich Albion to the Premier League.
So, would he fancy a move back to England, or will he be tempted in another challenge on the continent? Read on to find out our views…
Besiktas
Although the Turkish Super Lig is placed outside the top 10 in UEFA’s league rankings, a lot of star players and managers still ply their trade out in the country.
After Besiktas finished third in the table this season and thus not qualifying for the Champions League, current boss Slavin Bilic, who is odds-on favourite at 5/6 with Coral to take over at West Ham United, announced he would leave.
Napoli
Another manager has announced he will leave, Rafa Benitez from Napoli, and Di Matteo might fancy trying his hand out coaching in the country he represented.
The Little Donkeys have also all-but missed out on Champions League qualification for next season, as they are three points and 13 goals behind third-placed Lazio with one game to go, but are still a high profile side.
AC Milan
Di Matteo may fancy a different kind of challenge in Italy, though, in attempting to revive fallen Serie A giants AC Milan, who are currently in 10th place which would be their worst league finish since 1998.
West Ham United
Despite former Hammer Bilic being the favourite to take over at Upton Park, with Sam Allardyce set to leave, Di Matteo is an option to return to London, and is priced at 5/1 to be next West Ham boss.
They may be one of his old club Chelsea’s rivals, but fellow former Blue hero and Italian Gianfranco Zola took the job on once and it didn’t ruin his iconic image at Stamford Bridge.
Watford
Slightly further north to Watford, after reports confirming that Slavisa Jokanovic will not carry on as head coach of newly-promoted Watford (6/5 to stay in the Premier League), Di Matteo is already being touted as a target.
The Hornets have an Italian owner in Gino Pozzo, and the Hertfordshire outfit have a history of hiring managers from that country, with Gianluca Vialli, Giuseppe Sannino and Zola being former bosses at Vicarage Road.
