Roberto Di Matteo confirmed as new Baggies boss
By Jemma Tappenden
June 30 2009
Roberto Di Matteo has been officially named as the new manager of West Bromwich Albion. The appointment which was confirmed by the club at 8pm today, ends a month long search to replace Tony Mowbray who left for Celtic in June. Di Matteo will begin his new appointment first thing tomorrow morning when the players return from their summer break.
Di Matteo successfully guided MK Dons to a 3rd place finish in League One last season, in what was his first season in management.
The young and relatively inexperienced manager is likely to prove a popular choice for Albion fans, who had always favoured the style of football Tony Mowbray brought to the club.
Details of a compensation package for MK Dons are yet to be released, although it is more than likely some payment will be made as Di Matteo was contracted at the club until 2011.
The appointment may well come as a surprise to Baggies fans, who were anticipating the arrival of Alan Irvine from Preston North End after a compensation deal was allegedly struck between the two clubs. Preston report that Irvine turned down a deal at the Hawthorns, whilst West Brom maintain that Di Matteo was always their first choice.