Roberto di Matteo believed he was also set for the high jump at Chelsea this week.

The Daily Mail says such is the uncertainty at Chelsea, where everything happens at the whim of paymaster Roman Abramovich, that caretaker manager Di Matteo believed he was heading for the exit door along with Andre Villas-Boas the night before he was handed the interim position until the end of the season.

Di Matteo has been joined at Chelsea by his former West Bromwich Albion No2 Eddie Newton, a former Blues midfielder.