Chelsea: Why a Decade of Success Is Theirs Under Roberto Di Matteo

Chelsea has made a great decision by hiring Roberto Di Matteo full time.

The club's official website announced that Di Matteo has signed a two-year contract. After a great showing last year, he will move from the interim title to the full-time manger's post.

With Di Matteo, Chelsea has a great man.

Last year, he proved that he could win any match.

Even though Chelsea were not one of the most skilled team in the Champions League, it played a smart game and came out on top. As a fan, I hoped the team would do well, but I figured everything was lost after the 3-1 drubbing at Napoli.

Once Di Matteo took control, though, everything changed.

The team played smart. The players swallowed their individual pride in order to succeed for the club. As a result, Chelsea won two trophies, including the biggest one in Europe.

Di Matteo is also proud of his club. He played for Chelsea, so he understands what it means to be a Blue. Historically, the team has struggled at different points, but Di Matteo understands the pride that comes with the territory.

He wants to win for Chelsea. It's not just another team. It's about the club.

And don't forget how talented the squad will be next year.

The winners of the Champions League are adding the best young European player (Eden Hazard) and, potentially, a dynamic attacking Brazilian (Hulk). If John Obi Mikel continues to play well in the holding role, Chelsea could have one of the best midfields in all of Europe.

Petr Cech is still a world-class goalkeeper. Additionally, with Ashley Cole, John Terry, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic lining up in the back, Chelsea also have one of the best defenses in the world.

Yes, three of those five players are getting older, but Thibaut Courtois (Cech), Ryan Betrand (Cole) and Gary Cahill (Terry) are all worth replacements. For the first time in awhile, it's reasonable to assume that Chelsea is built for the present and the future.

By hiring Di Matteo, Chelsea has set themselves up for success. He knows how to win. He wants to win. And he has a squad capable of winning for a long time.

Hiring Di Matteo was a great idea, and Chelsea will be rewarded with success for at least the next decade.