ROBERTO DI MATTEO refused to look beyond Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures after continuing his impressive run as interim boss on Saturday.
The Italian has won six out of eight matches since his appointment in place of the dismissed Andre Villas-Boas — including the weekend’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa — prompting speculation that he could stay on past the end of the season.
However, the boss would not be drawn on suggestions that he may be interested in a permanent position.
“That’s not important. What’s important is that [tomorrow] we qualify for the next round of the Champions League,” he said. ”We won and got three points and we’ve got some points back on Arsenal. No, no I don’t think about the future, honestly.”
The win at Villa Park ensured the Blues remain just five points behind the Champions League qualifying places currently occupied by Arsenal and Tottenham. And, on Wednesday, the west London side host Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals and go into the match with a 1-0 aggregate advantage.
However, Di Matteo refused to be drawn on squad morale under Villas-Boas when asked about the importance of his side’s sense of togetherness ahead of a crucial run.
“I don’t want to talk about the past; that is something that has been done and dusted. We can only look forward,” he said. ”I am pleased with the attitude of the players, they have shown great character as well; we are in this difficult situation, the season has proved difficult for us and we are just trying to win our games now.”
