West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo gives his first press conference to the media.
Video can been seen here on the BBC Sport Website.
View Sky Sports Clip of the news conference here.
Video: Roberto Di Matteo’s Press Conference
July 3, 2009 by igorbalisDi Matteo agrees to move for Simon Cox
July 2, 2009 by igorbalisNew Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo has agreed to push ahead with the signing of Swindon Town striker Simon Cox. The £2m fee for the player was finalised with Swindon last week and now that Di Matteo is the West Brom manager the player will have a medical at the club next week to complete the deal.
Cox scored 29 goals last season for Swindon including three hat-tricks. He’ll add competition to Albion’s current strikers and at 22 years old will be hungry to make an impression in Di Matteo’s side.
The new West Brom boss said,
“I am aware of the deal and that we have agreed terms,”
“The player will be coming in next week for a medical.
“He is a very good player, has a very good scoring record and I am happy for the deal to go ahead.”
West Brom v Newcastle live on BBC. Di Matteo to decide on two transfers
July 1, 2009 by igorbalisThe BBC have announced that the first live match of their coverage of this seasons Championship will be West Brom v Newcastle United. The match will be one of ten games to be screened live by the BBC and will be shown at 5.30pm on August 8th.
Back to current goings on, new Baggies boss Roberto Di Matteo will have transfer decisions to make on his first day with Bolton set to come in with an improved offer for Paul Robinson thought to be around £750,000.
Also, with the fee being agreed with Swindon for striker Simon Cox prior to Di Matteo’s appointment he’ll have to now decide if wants the player and finalise the deal.
Di Matteo speaks about becoming West Brom boss
July 1, 2009 by igorbalisNew West Brom manager Roberto Di Matteo has spoken for the first time about joining the Baggies.
Below are quote’s from wba.co.uk, you can read the full article here.
“I’m very grateful to MK Dons and the chairman for letting me go to take up this opportunity,” said Di Matteo.
“The chairman had to be brave last season to give me a chance and it worked out well for both of us.
“Now, I’m very much looking forward to taking the next step with West Bromwich Albion.
“I’m very happy to be here, it’s a great club.
“I know there was a disappointment last season but I think there is potential to do very well here.
“Me and my staff can’t wait to start and get to work with the players, and hopefully be successful here.
“My philosophy is to play successful and winning football.
“We have our view on how we would like to achieve that success.
“I think that turns out to be a positive style of football and we’ll try to apply that to the Baggies this season.”
“Ade Mafe has 13 years of experience as a fitness coach in the Premier League and Championship,” the new Baggies boss added.
“I’ve known him for a similar period.
“He’s very knowledgeable and is a good person to have around.
“Eddie Newton has played at the highest level and has done a lot of coaching.
“He shares the same philosophy about football as I do and he is very trustworthy and very fair.
“All three of us are very hard-working people – and that’s what you’re going to get from us.
“I understand expectations are very high.
“There is a very good team here and we will try our best to go back up again.”
Official: Roberto Di Matteo is new West Brom manager
June 30, 2009 by igorbalisIts now on the official website that Roberto Di Matteo is confirmed as the new manager of West Bromwich Albion.
Speculation started this morning that Di Matteo had impressed during the interview process and was a front runner with Preston’s Alan Irvine. The Preston manager then ruled himself out (or West Brom told him they’d chosen Di Matteo) and that left the ex-Chelsea and Italy midfielder as favourite for the Albion hotseat.
Roberto Di Matteo leaves MK Dons after a successful first season in management where he guided them to the League One play off’s. He’s set to be followed by his staff Eddie Newton and Ade Mafe.
Albion top dog Jeremy Peace said:
“I am delighted with Roberto’s appointment, which concludes an intensive selection process during which over 40 names were considered.
“We shortlisted two outstanding candidates, spoke to both of them after receiving permission from their clubs, and ultimately Roberto was the unanimous choice of the board.”
He’s set to meet the players tomorrow and then hold a press conference.
Its a bold move by West Brom, but could prove to be a shrewd bit of business by the board.
Good luck Robbi! Boing Boing!
To celebrate here’s Dean Martin doing That’s Amore’
And from nowhere, Roberto Di Matteo looks favourite for the Albion job
June 30, 2009 by igorbalisWell, just as it looked liked Alan Irvine was set to take over, he’s decided the job is not for him and will stay at Preston. The bigger surprise is that Roberto Di Matteo now looks favourite for the Albion job.
The MK Dons manager has not been amongst the names linked with the job, but now seems to be the Baggies first choice, but that might be because Dave Jones and Alan Irvine have turned the job down.
The Brum mail report that today an announcement will be made and either Irvine or Di Matteo will take over. So now that Irvine has ruled himself out, that leaves Di Matteo as the last man standing. So surely he will be the next West Brom manager…
More news when we get it.
Update:
The Birmingham Mail are reporting Di Matteo will be named the new West Brom manager today.
Update 2:
You know the story has some credibility when the BBC runs it. Link.
