Di Matteo emerges as top candidate for Chelsea job

London, Apr 26(ANI): Interim Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has emerged as the leading candidate for the club manager's job following his impressive leadership performance, and several senior players are reportedly pushing his case forward.

Chelsea has lost just one game in 15 matches since Di Matteo replaced Andrea Villas-Boas as their manager, and has guided the team into the FA Cup and the Champions League final.

Senior Stamford Bridge figures are increasingly of the view that Di Matteo is the right choice to lead Chelsea to further glories in future.

Veteran Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is among those backing Di Matteo.

"I can't speak highly enough of him. Look at the record - it's not coincidence," The BBC quoted Lampard, as saying.

"He's created an atmosphere, a spirit and determination. What he's done in bringing it together and getting a result like this [the victory over Barcelona], and the results we've had before, is amazing," he added.

Chelsea's technical director Michael Emenalo, who is overseeing the recruitment process, has already interviewed Di Matteo for the post.

However, Chelsea is reluctant to comment on the process, with chief executive Ron Gourlay refusing to speculate about Di Matteo's future.

"We said we'd sit down at the end of the season. That's exactly what we're going to do. I don't want to add any pressure on anybody at the club. There is enough pressure on us as it is," said Gourlay. (ANI)