Roberto Di Matteo: Why He Should Be Chelsea FC's Permanent Boss

So Andre Villas-Boas becomes the seventh managerial obituary at Stamford Bridge in five years. 

The search for a new Chelsea manager begins, with a job requirement that includes an 80 percent winning ratio plus the ability to stroke owner Roman Abramovich’s ego.

Many names have been mentioned since before Villas-Boas was sacked—amongst those were former boss Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez.

But Chelsea should stop looking and focus on the man currently entrusted with unnerving responsibility. 

That’s right: Roberto Di Matteo is the ideal candidate to pick up the shattered pieces and conjure up a decent season for the Blues. 

Here are a few reasons why.

1) Managerial Experience

The 42-year-old Italian is no rookie in the management department, having managed West Brom from 2009-2011. 

Not only that, he boasts quite a decent resume with the club as well, guiding them back to the Premier League from Division 1 in his first season in charge. 

He also won Manager of the Month in September 2010, after steering the Baggies to their best ever Premier League start. 

2) Vibrant, Exciting Style of Play

Di Matteo had always implemented an attacking style of play at West Brom, even when they were up against it.

He is a firm believer of playing ground football by executing fast exchanges of play, with the full-backs operating almost as a winger at times. 

That didn't bode well with West Brom after a while, mainly because the Baggies lacked attacking players who could deliver great crosses or keep possession. 

With the current Chelsea squad, Di Matteo inherits a different class of player. 

The likes of Essien and Ramires can run all day, with Mata and Lampard spreading the play, supported by the flanking Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa. 

If he can successfully implement this game plan, Chelsea could achieve something significant this season.

3) Rekindling the Old Flame

As a player, Di Matteo was one of the Blues' most distinguished players—even being selected in the squad of Chelsea’s ever greatest XI. 

His instinctive dribbling, visionary passing and ability to find the top corner from distance was a sight to behold.

Now as a manager—albeit a temporary one—Di Matteo has the chance to prove his worth and save his beloved club from further humiliation. 

If he has fire in his belly to ignite a revival—the Chelsea job will be his permanently. 

4) Can Inspire the Senior Men

One of the main reasons Villas-Boas got the boot was because he never got through to Chelsea’s old guards, most notably Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole. 

The Portuguese coach believed that his way always the right one—that meant leaving the trio to warm the bench during some of Chelsea’s most important matches this season. 

Di Matteo now has the chance to repair their bruised personalities and get them performing in top gear once again.

He would’ve had plenty of time to know the damage in the dressing room, having seen everything through Villas-Boas’ shadow. 

It’s time for him to step into the limelight and get his boys delivering results again.

5) Bring El Nino Back to Life

The reason why Carlo Ancelotti never got the best out of Fernando Torres was because the striker was forcefully shoved down his esophagus. 

Villas-Boas took over and had no choice but to start the Spaniard in most games, most likely under Roman Abramovich’s instruction.  

The onus is now on Di Matteo to get the best out of a striker desperately short of confidence, having not scored in 22 matches. 

If he can get at least 10 goals out of Torres this season, there is no obvious candidate better suited at the helm of Chelsea.