Di Matteo wants to bring success to Dons

Former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo has been named as the man to replace Paul Ince as MK Dons manager.

The Coca-Cola League One club unveiled the 38-year-old as the successor to Paul Ince at a press conference.

Di Matteo has signed a one-year deal with the option of a further year and will take charge of first-team affairs immediately.

And the new man is hoping to become a more successful manager than he was a player.

He said: "A good player doesn't mean a good manager, but I want to be more successful as a manager.

"This year, we are in a different division now one step up, but want to keep the momentum going and help the chairman implement his vision to take the club higher."

"The club said in a statement: "Like the club itself, Roberto is young, ambitious and hungry to succeed. We are enormously excited about the team moving forward under his leadership."

Di Matteo is thought to have emerged on top from a list of around 40 candidates for the post, including ex-Leicester and Plymouth boss Ian Holloway and former Burnley chief Steve Cotterill.

Last week former Dons guv'nor Paul Ince led left to take charge of Premier League Blackburn.

The Don's job would be the first management role for FA Cup winner Di Matteo, 38.

The former Lazio star, who was capped more than 30 times by the Azzuri, has been taking his coaching badges since he was forced into early retirement through injury.

He also played in Euro 96 and at the World Cup in 1998. In all, he won 34 caps for his country and was named in Chelsea's greatest ever XI.

Pete Winkleman was keen to replace Ince with a known and exciting 'name' and Di Matteo obviously fitted the bill. 208103