New West Brom boss: The facts on Roberto Di Matteo
Jul 1 2009 by Chris Lepkowski
ROBERTO Di Matteo arrives at West Brom as the clubs first-ever head coach.The 39-year-old was born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, to Italian parents and started his playing career at his hometown club.
He joined FC Zurich in 1991 and FC Aarau a year later, winning the Swiss Nationalliga A in 1993 and being voted the nations player of the year during the same campaign.
He signed for Lazio in the summer of 1993 on a free transfer and became a regular in the Rome giants, making his debut for Italy during his spell in the capital.
A bust-up with coach Zdenek Zeman over a defensive error which resulted in a loss to Inter Milan, ended his career with the club and prompted Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit to pay a then club record s4.9million for his services in 1996.
He helped the club finish 6th in the league, their highest placing since 1989-90, and reach the 1997 FA Cup Final against Middlesbrough. Within 43 seconds of the kick-off, Di Matteo scored from 30 yards, to set Chelsea on their way to a 20 win - the quickest goal scored in an FA Cup final at the old Wembley.
