ROBERTO DI MATTEO has reportedly agreed to become Aston Villa’s new manager as the club look to make an instant return to the Premier League.
The former Chelsea boss, who guided them to Champions League success, is in line to be named as the successor to Remi Garde, with the Frenchman sacked in March just before Villa fell through the trap door.
Di Matteo has been out of management since resigning as the manager of Schalke 12 months ago and is understood to be Villa’s new owner’s prefferred candidate to take the reins.
The 45-year-old still has a house near Birmingham from his time as manager of West Brom.
He has experience of the Championship having presided over the Baggies’ promotion-winning campaign back in 2010 and is expected to be unveiled by Villa on Friday.
Reports suggest that Di Matteo will be assisted by former Chelsea team-mate Steve Clarke.
Chinese owner Dr Tony Xia recently bought Villa from US businessman Randy Lerner, who had been looking to sell the club since 2014.
The 39-year-old has already pledged to give the new manager up to €65 million for new signings this summer after Villa’s 29-year spell in the English top flight was ended last season.
With reporting from AFP
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