Di Matteo is new Albion boss
Roberto Di Matteo will become the new manager of West Bromwich Albion following a dramatic last-minute twist in the battle for the Hawthorns vacancy.
The former Italy international and Chelsea star, fresh from a debut season in English management with Milton Keynes Dons, pipped bookies favourite Alan Irvine in a shock appointment.
Preston boss Irvine had been the front runner to land the post, made vacant by Tony Mowbray's decision to go to Celtic and spoke with Albion chairman Jeremy Peace and his directors over the weekend.
But the Hawthorns hierarchy had their minds changed at the last minute, when Di Matteo made a huge impression at his interview.
He convinced the Albion board he was the man to take the club forward again after the disappointment of relegation from the Premier League.
Di Matteo, whose six-figure compensation pack-age from MK Dons has already been sorted out by Albion, was agreeing the fine detail of his personal terms today before the club made a formal announcement.
The 39-year-old is expected to be at Albion's training ground tomorrow to greet players as they return for pre-season training.
Di Matteo found fame with top Italian club Lazio and then at Chelsea for whom he scored the winning goal against Aston Villa in the last FA Cup final at the old Wembley in 2000.
He was appointed MK Dons boss a year ago after Paul Ince left to join Blackburn Rovers.
Former Chelsea colleague Eddie Newton, his assistant with the Dons, will join him at The Hawthorns.
By Chief Sports Writer Martin Swain.
