Odds slashed on Roberto Di Matteo becoming next Swansea manager

The search for Garry Monk’s replacement is continuing in south-west Wales, but it appears Swansea may be looking closer to home than previously thought after a flurry of bets came in for Roberto Di Matteo.

Swansea parted company with Monk after a poor run of results saw the club slip into a relegation battle following a bright start to the campaign.

Marcelo Bielsa has been the long-time favourite (9/4) with Ladbrokes for the role, but question marks remain over the Chilean, who doesn’t speak English and has fallen out with clubs publicly in the past.

Ex-Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo began this week as a 25/1 shot for the gig at the Liberty Stadium, but the Italian is now 11/4 second favourite following a host of activity in the market.

After steadying the Stamford Bridge ship following Andre Villas Boas’ departure in March 2012, Di Matteo famously led Chelsea to their sole Champions League triumph that season, before he was unceremoniously given the boot early in the following campaign (sounds a little familiar…).

The ex-midfielder took some time out of the game before taking the helm at Schalke last season, and a bright first few months saw them push Real Madrid hard in the Champions League last 16.

A poor domestic run of two wins in their final 10 games however, saw the German side miss out on a return to Europe’s top club competition, and the 45-year-old resigned in the summer.

Di Matteo would prove a stark contrast to Bielsa, with the former West Brom boss boasting almost 20 years of experience in the English game.

The two-time FA-Cup winner led West Brom into the Premier League at the first attempt in 2010, before a promising beginning to the following campaign faded away.

A poor run saw him depart the Baggies mid-way through the season, and he has yet to prove he can lead a club in the top tier through a whole campaign.

But right now it seems Swansea need Premier League safety and a manager who can bring a positive impact, and that is something Di Matteo possesses strongly on his C.V.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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